HC Deb 06 March 2001 vol 364 cc179-80W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tonnage of beef from South Africa was purchased in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 for consumption by the armed forces; at which ports and airports it was landed; at which bases the beef was consumed; and how the swill was disposed of, and at which locations. [152614]

Dr. Moonie

No beef was purchased by "3663", the Ministry of Defence food supply contractor, from South Africa during 1998–99, or 1999–2000. There is a remote possibility that a Royal Navy/Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship may have purchased a small amount of beef while visiting a South African port. However, in the unlikely event that any such beef remained, it would be disposed of in accordance with the directives of the relevant Local Authority Environmental Health Officer on return to a UK port.