French Beef (Hansard, 30 January 2001)

§ Mr. Yeo
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the Government have given to schools on the safety of French beef. [144310]

§ Ms Stuart
No specific advice has been issued to schools on this subject. The Government are advised on food safety issues by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA has assessed the safety of French beef, and has advised that there is virtually no risk from legally sold imported French beef—ie. beef from animals under the age of 30 months at time of slaughter.
Information on the FSA's assessment is available on the agency's website and has been made available through news releases. Its advice to any consumer who may be concerned is to buy meat from reputable sources, and to ask the supplier for details of the origin of the meat.

§ Mr. Yeo
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations the Government have made to the European Commission concerning the safety of French beef. [144315]

§ Ms Stuart
[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Government discussed questions on the safety of French beef with the European Commission on several occasions during November and December 2000. These included the meetings of the Council of Agriculture Ministers on November 20 and 21 and December 4, a telephone discussion between Sir John Krebs, Chairman of the Food Standards Agency, and Commissioner Byrne in December and meetings of the Standing Veterinary Committee and of the Beef Management Committee. The meetings discussed not only French beef but the safety of beef in the European Union generally.

§ Mr. Yeo
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the Government provide to consumers regarding consumption of French beef included in products that are not labelled with the country of origin of their ingredients. [144393]

§ Ms Stuart
[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Responsibility for the provision of advice on food safety matters rests with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The FSA's advice to consumers is that legally sold imported beef from France poses no greater risk than United Kingdom beef. Imported processed meat products from countries with a record of BSE may pose a slightly higher risk than legally sold carcase meat, but that level of risk is considered to be within an acceptable range. The FSA has advised consumers who may remain concerned to buy meat or meat products only from reputable sources, and to ask their supplier about the country of origin of the product and the beef it contains.
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The FSA's advice on imported French beef is available on its website, and has been provided in press statements.