§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the control of chicken imports into the UK from outside the European Union in relation to(a) animal welfare and (b) human health. [103291]
§ Ms QuinIn relation to public health, all consignments of fresh meat and poultry meat imported into the UK, whether from other EU member states or third countries, must have been produced in accordance with harmonised Community rules. These rules include the licensing, structural and veterinary supervision requirements to be applied in abattoirs, cutting plants and cold stores. Slaughterhouses in third countries have to comply with hygiene standards at least equivalent to those which apply in the EU before imports can be permitted.
Ensuring that third countries supplying the EU market comply with Community requirements is the responsibility of the European Commission. The Commission's Food and Veterinary Office is responsible for arranging and carrying out inspections in those countries, but national officials can and do report to the Commission on investigations they may have carried out. All consignments of fresh meat and poultry meat imported from third countries are subject to veterinary checks, including checks on accompanying veterinary health certification, on entering the EU to ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and that they have remained in a satisfactory condition during transport.
It would not be compatible with World Trade Organisation rules to ban imports of meat because of the animal welfare standards under which it had been produced. The Government are considering how to promote wider international consensus on farm animal welfare. The EU, with UK support, is seeking greater recognition of farm animal welfare considerations in WTO rules.