§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests are carried out by port health authorities on poultry imports from countries outside the E.U. [69486]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 8 February 1999]: Live poultry may be imported into the EU only from approved third countries from flocks which are subject to regular disease monitoring. Member States are notified about all such imports and documentary, identity and physical checks are carried out at the point of entry. Similarly, poultry meat may only be imported from third countries, and from establishments in those third countries, which are approved by the European Commission. On arrival at a Border Inspection Post in the Community the documents and identity of every consignment of poultry meat must be checked. At least 50 per cent. of consignments must also be subject to physical checks to ensure that they are fit for their intended purpose.