§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials are currently directly involved in(a) the entry-point monitoring of beef imports and (b) the point of sale monitoring of beef on the bone sales. [27910]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 9 February 1998]: These checks are carried out by local authority staff. It is possible to answer the question only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the procedures adopted to monitor the import of beef; what documentation is required by beef importers to satisfy the conditions on imports set by the United Kingdom Government; and if he will make a statement on the procedures in place to ensure the adequate traceability from herd to point of sale for all beef imports. [27911]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 9 February 1998]: Consignments of all animal products imported into the European Union (EU) are subject to documentary, identity and physical checks at designated Border Inspection Posts (BIPs). All consignments are subject to documentary checks. The levels of identity and physical checks, which are laid down in Community legislation, depend on the product and country of origin. Single Market rules permit random spot-checks only at destination on animal products traded within the Community.
Beef imported from other EU Member States or third countries must, in accordance with Community law, be accompanied by commercial documentation or health certification, depending on the country of dispatch. Certain animal products imported into the UK require additional official veterinary certification relating to Specified Risk Materials (SRM). The certification confirms that the product does not contain and was not derived from SRM; or was produced before 1 January; or contains only materials derived from animals born, reared and slaughtered in New Zealand or Australia.
In order to aid traceability, all imported beef must have the health markings provided for in Council Directive 64–433, which identify the approved establishment from which it originated. Commercial documentation or veterinary or other certification accompanying imported beef must also contain details of the approved establishment so that, if necessary, problems can be referred back to the relevant authorities in the exporting country.
§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of beef imports to the United Kingdom come from countries with a record of BSE incidence in their herds; and if he will make a statement. [27912]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 9 February 1998]: Official Overseas Trade Statistics for the year to 31 October 1997, showing the quantities and percentages 376W of beef, beef preparations and beef offal imported from countries with recorded cases of BSE in home-bred animals, are set out in the following table.
UK imports of bovine meat, offal and meat preparations November 1996-October 1997 tones percentage of total imports Belgium-Luxembourg 2,067 0.9 France 5,396 2.3 Irish Republic 72,769 31.2 Netherlands 18,775 8.1 Portugal 0 0.0 Others 133,883 57.5 Total 232,890 Note:
All data are provisional and subject to amendment.