§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he can take to prevent the import of food and food products known or believed to have been produced using illegal methods. [97230]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 4 November 1999]: Detailed rules are in place under European Community law and in national legislation in member states making it 375W an offence to export food and food products which might compromise the health and life of humans, animals or plants. Similar controls apply to imports into the Community from third countries under EC and domestic legislation. Under World Trade Organisation rules, imports from countries outside the EU can be restricted in order to protect human, animal or plant life and health, provided such measures are based on sound science.
376WMember states may take unilateral safeguard measures to restrict specific imports on an ad hoc basis where they believe health risks exist which are not adequately provided for under EC legislation. Such supplementary measures, details of which must be notified to the European Commission for their agreement, must be proportionate to and consistent with any harmonised Community rules in the area concerned.