§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of illegally imported meat have been seized at(a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick airports since October 2002; from what countries of origin they arrived; and if she will make a statement. [106106]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 31 March 2003]: As at 27 March, Defra's ILAPS database has been notified since October 2002 of seizures containing meat and meat products totalling nearly 16 tonnes at Heathrow and nearly 3 tonnes at Gatwick. Some of these seizures are of products in which meat or meat products contribute only part of the total weight. In this period, seizures have been made from most areas of the world, with the majority coming from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
765WThis picture is consistent with the results of the risk assessment report for the import of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) into the UK, published on 25 March. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries.