Biosecurity (South Korea) (Hansard, 17 June 2002)

§ Mr. Lidington
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice on biosecurity she has issued to British tourists visiting South Korea. [60269]
48W

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 10 June 20021: We have increased the number and improved the locations of posters explaining our import controls at the major UK airports. The Football Association agreed to target football fans travelling to the World Cup with advice about the risk of importing foot and mouth disease from South Korea. These initiatives are part of our work to increase public awareness of the current regulations and their importance.

§ Mr. Lidington
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she has given to port health officers about the risks of foot and mouth disease being introduced to the United Kingdom by(a) travellers and (b) goods from South Korea. [60270]

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 10 June 2002]: We have notified enforcement authorities and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in South Korea so that they take this into consideration when undertaking checks of cargo and passenger baggage. On, 22 May, enforcement officers' search powers were extended to include personal baggage and all commercial containers, whether or not described as food.

§ Mr. Lidington
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken by HM Customs and Excise to reduce the risk of foot and mouth disease being brought into the United Kingdom by travellers from South Korea. [60273]

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 10 June 2002]: HM Customs and Excise support the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and their enforcement agencies in their implementation of import controls designed to protect animal and human health. Customs staff have been alerted to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in South Korea and have been directed to bring any consignments discovered in Customs checks to the attention of the appropriate local health officials.