HC Deb 27 April 2001 vol 367 cc409-10W
Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when the European Union converted its temporary suspension on South African livestock imports into a formal import ban following the outbreak of swine fever in KwaZulu-Natal; and how the terms of the ban differed from those of the suspension; [153244]

(2) what period and on which products and geographical areas the European Union imposed a temporary suspension of South African livestock imports following the outbreak of foot and mouth in KwaZulu-Natal last year. [153245]

Mr. Nick Brown

EU rules do not allow imports of livestock into the Community from South Africa. EU measures introduced last year in relation to KwaZulu-Natal related only to imports of fresh meat.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information his Department provided to (a) staff at third country border inspection posts and (b) importers in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal last year. [153365]

Mr. Nick Brown

Letters explaining the situation were sent to border inspection posts and traders after a Declaration was issued on 5 January 2001 suspending imports of fresh meat and certain products of animal origin from South Africa and Swaziland. Prior to that, on 22 September, the South African authorities suspended issue of export health certificates for live animals, animal products and genetic material from the affected areas, thereby effectively preventing exports.

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