§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to inform(a) residents and (b) visitors to the UK of the rule change on 1 January regarding the personal import allowances for animal products from their countries. [86577]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 11 December 2002]We will provide information on the new rules for personal imports as part of our ongoing campaign to highlight to travellers the risks posed by illegal imports. This campaign has already used a variety of methods, including posters, leaflets, information videos, and interviews. Future publicity highlights include having a Defra presence at "Destinations 2003" and "The Holiday Show 2003". Our publicity campaign remains under constant review.
Specifically to highlight the new rules, the poster detailing the personal allowances for personal imports of plant and animal products is being updated. It will be displayed at ports of entry into the UK and aimed at travellers arriving from outside the EU.
We are continuing to work with our posts and embassies abroad to raise awareness of our import rules at points of departure.
443W
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many seizures of illegal imports there were, broken down by(a) weight and (b) region in each of the last five years. [86578]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 11 December 2002]: A central database of illegal animal product seizures notified to DEFRA was set up in April 2001.
From 31 March 2001 to 30 March 2002 Region Number of seizures Weight (kg) England 2,040 113,082 Wales 2 13 Scotland 10 50 Northern Ireland 14 28 Total 2,066 113,173
From 31 March 2002 to 6 December 2002 Region Number of seizures Weight (kg) England 2,042 29,707 Wales 4 23 Scotland 155 595 Northern Ireland 168 1,386 Total 2,369 31,711
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 26 November 2002,Official Report, column 230W, which regions have been targeted for additional checks on passenger baggage and freight for illegal imports. [86613]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 11 December 2002]: Additional checks are being carried out by teams at three major seaports and two airports. One of these teams will also operate at other airports around the country.
Specific details of staff and ports of operation could benefit potential smugglers, so we cannot make public this information.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 26 November 2002,Official Report, column 237W, how many seizures of illegal imports of animal products in commercial consignments and personal baggage have been carried out under Regulation 8 of the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations 2002 since 22 May 2002. [86614]
444W
Region Inert/C&D Biodegradable Co-disposal Total East of England 9,412 26,527 65,391 101,330 East Midlands 14,167 15,810 41,802 71,779 London 3,949 15,303 358 19,610 North East 200 15,958 23,015 39,173 North West 12,712 6,255 57,860 76,827 South East 18,706 63,539 33,184 115,429 South West Wales1 8,221 19,839 21,319 49,379 West Midlands 8,178 13,805 55,754 77,737 Yorkshire and the Humber 8,473 32,384 43,431 84,288 National total 84,018 209,420 342,114 635,552
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 11 December 2002]: There have been 2,087 seizures of products of animal origin reported to us by the enforcement agencies since 22 May 2002.
Of these, 1,903 were in personal baggage, with a total weight of 16,598 kg, and 184 were in commercial consignments, with a total weight of 12,533 kg.