§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that imported meat has been slaughtered under the same hygiene standards as those in the United Kingdom. [29237]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 16 February 1998]: The slaughter of animals in all EU Member States must comply with Community rules governing the protection of animals at the time of slaughter and killing (Directive 93/119/EC). It is a requirement of these rules that meat imported from Third Countries must be from animals slaughtered or killed in accordance with conditions equivalent to those applying in the Community. Common rules on meat hygiene standards, applicable in all Member States, are similarly laid down in Directive 64/433/EEC for fresh meat and Directive 71/118/EEC for poultry meat. For imports from third countries, Directive 72/462/EEC requires compliance with equivalent conditions to those in Directive 64/433/EEC for the hygienic production of fresh meat, and Directive 71/118/EEC for poultry meat. It is for the European Commission to ensure that Member States and third countries are complying with their legal obligations.