§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy towards imports of beef to the United Kingdom from(a) the European Union and (b) elsewhere. [3398]
§ Mr. RookerAll fresh meat imported into the United Kingdom, whether from the European Union or elsewhere, must be produced in accordance with harmonised hygiene rules laid down in Council Directive 64/433/EEC (as amended). Also, imported meat derived from bovines which, at the time of slaughter, were more than 30 months old is prohibited under the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996 unless it comes from animals covered by the Beef Assurance Scheme, or born, reared and slaughtered in those third countries specifically excluded by the Regulations where there is no known risk of BSE.
On 5 June, following advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced (Official Report column 227) the opening of consultations on legislation which would extend to imported beef (other than from those countries exempted from the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996 our current domestic controls on specified bovine material (SBM).
The proposed extension of these controls does not amount to an import ban.
72WSubject to the outcome of the consultation, we intend to proceed in late July if agreement to introduce similar Community-wide controls (which would also apply to imports from third countries) is not forthcoming by then.