§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 16 January (WA 158), what sums have been provided by the Food Standards Agency to each local authority for checking meat imports: (a) in the current financial year; and (b) in each of the past three financial years. [HL2483]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe previous reply of 16 January described the provision of Food Standards Agency funds to local authorities for an enforcement programme for animal feed including imports. The position differs for meat imports for food use. The Food Standards Agency does not provide funds to local authorities for checking such meat imports.
Imports of meat to the United Kingdom from outside the European Union must enter the UK through designated border inspection posts (BIPs). BIPs are the responsibility of the relevant local authorities. The costs of the inspections at the BIPs are charged to importers.
Imports of meat from other member states of the EU are part of the European single market, and are not subject to border controls. But they are subject to checks by the Meat Hygiene Service (or the equivalent in Northern Ireland) upon arrival at licensed meat plants within the UK. The costs of these checks fall on the Food Standards Agency.
The costs of local authority checks on meat, including meat imports after they have entered the UK through a BIP, fall to the local authority.