§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances it is permissible to offer as food, beef products which are derived from animals which are over 30 months of age; and if he will make a statement. [20312]
§ Mr. RookerThe Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) Regulations 1996 permit meat and any products derived from bovine animals which are over 30 months to be offered as food under the following circumstances.
Firstly, meat derived from a bovine animal which was born, reared and slaughtered in any of the countries specified in the Schedule to the Regulations i.e.,
- Argentina
- Australia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Paraguay
- Poland
- South Africa
- Swaziland
- Uruguay
- United States of America
- Zimbabwe.
Secondly, meat derived from a bovine animal which was accompanied at the time of slaughter by a slaughter certificate issued under the Beef Assurance Scheme, slaughtered in accordance with the hygiene requirements of the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 and processed in accordance with the Meat Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1994.
288WThese exemptions from the over thirty months rule are under continual review.