Illegal Meat Imports

HC Deb 01 May 2002 vol 384 c773W

Nick Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the average fine imposed on people who imported illegal meats into the country has been in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement; [51771]

(2) how many people have (a)been arrested and (b) received a fine for importing illegal meats into the country in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement. [51775]

Mr. Morley

Central records are not available for a 10-year period.

Last year, HM Customs and Excise arrested three people for offences under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) involving illegal meat imports. Of these, two were convicted as a CITES offence, both received prison sentence of four months. The third person was acquitted but convicted under a separate Animal Health charge resulting in a penalty of a conditional discharge for one year and costs of £100.