HC Deb 15 November 2001 vol 374 cc888-9W
32. Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to receive the reports of the independent inquiries into foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement.[13096]

Mr. Morley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed) on 1 November 2001,Official Report, column 804W.

34. Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the extent of the foot and mouth epidemic. [13098]

Mr. Morley

The last confirmed case of foot and mouth disease was on 30 September. We have made progress on lifting infected area restrictions and most counties are now classified as foot and mouth disease free. However, there is no room for complacency and we may yet identify isolated pockets of remaining infection as our testing programme proceeds. Any relaxation of restrictions must be proportionate to the risks involved.

36. Michael Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the report by Devon county council on the Government's handling of the foot and mouth outbreak. [13100]

Mr. Morley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary on 31 October 2001,Official Report, column 1416 in another place.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what evidence she has collated recently of meat from animals vaccinated against foot and mouth disease entering the UK from(a) France, (b) Holland, (c) other EU countries, (d) Argentina and (e) South Africa. [14057]

Mr. Morley

None. Within the EU the Netherlands was the only country that vaccinated against foot and mouth disease (FMD). However, the vaccinated animals were subsequently slaughtered and meat from them was not exported.

The importation into the UK of fresh meat derived from FMD susceptible animals originating in Argentina is currently prohibited. Prior to the prohibition, meat from vaccinated animals could be imported from Argentina. but had to be deboned and fully matured so as to remove any risk of the live FMD virus being present. Following outbreaks of FMD in South Africa, the UK prohibited imports of fresh meat with effect from January 2001. Following an improvement in the FMD situation in South Africa, and appropriate guarantees from the South African authorities, this prohibition was lifted in June 2001 in line with EC law. This meant that meat originating in certain areas of South Africa which are FMD free can be imported into the UK. Imports of meat from vaccinated animals in South Africa is not permitted; however, meat imports must still be deboned and matured.