§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the countries from which the import and sale of beef is considered unsafe on human health grounds; and if he will make a statement. [156383]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 30 March 2001]: Fresh meat, including beef, may be imported into the European Union only from specific third countries which have been approved by the EU on the basis of compliance with a range of animal health and public health criteria. Moreover, fresh meat imported from such countries must have been produced in plants specifically approved for the purpose by the EU. The list of approved countries and approved meat plants (by category) is published by the European Commission on its website. Fresh meat may not, therefore, be imported from meat plants and/or countries not appearing on the approved list.
All consignments of fresh meat imported from third countries must be accompanied by appropriate veterinary certification confirming that the meat has been produced in accordance with EU animal health and public health requirements.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if beef over 30-months-old from(a) Argentina, (b) Australia, (c) Botswana, (d) Brazil, (e) Mauritius, (f) Namibia, (g) New Zealand, (h) Paraguay, (i) Poland, (j) South Africa, (k) Switzerland, (l) Uruguay, (m) USA and (n) Zimbabwe is considered safe for importation into and sale in the United Kingdom on human health grounds; and if he will make a statement. [156380]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 30 March 2001]: The hon. Member is referring to the list of countries that are exempt from the generally applicable ban on the sale for human consumption of beef from cattle aged over 30 months at slaughter. They are countries that traditionally supplied the United Kingdom and in which there was no history of BSE. There have been no confirmed cases of BSE in any of them and I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that any risk to public health from over 30-month beef from these sources would be very small.
However, the FSA is currently reviewing the list of exempt countries in the light of recently strengthened European Union BSE controls, including assessments of geographical BSE risk. A further statement will be made when I receive the FSA's advice.