§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on food imports which contain substances banned by the EU. [87119]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 16 December 2002]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that checks are carried out by local authorities and port health authorities on imported food from non-European Union countries to ensure compliance with the EU veterinary checks regime for food products of animal origin and under United Kingdom national legislation for food products of non-animal origin. In particular checks are made to ensure that where substances are specifically banned by EU legislation, appropriate action is taken to prevent them entering the human food chain.