§ Tim Loughton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people have been successfully prosecuted in each of the last six years for illegally importing meat products; [140994]
(2) how much has been spent by local authorities in Sussex in each of the last six years on prosecuting cases involving illegal importation of meat. [141055]
§ John Healey:In respect of HM Customs and Excise I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wealden (Mr. Hendry) on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 143W. They brought two prosecutions in 2001.
In respect of prosecutions undertaken by agencies other than Customs, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 10 March 2003, Official Report, column 70W.
§ Tim Loughton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many seizures of illegal meat imports by Customs have taken place at Heathrow airport since April; [140995]
60W(2) what amount of illegally imported meat products has been seized by HM Customs and their agents at UK ports of entry in each of the last six years. [140998]
§ John Healey:I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wealden (Mr. Hendry) on 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 40W. The figures published by Defra for total seizures of imported goods by all agencies, at ports of entry and elsewhere in 2001–02 and 2002–03 are 2,053 (114,790 kg) and 7,819 (109,211 kg) respectively. Figures for earlier years are not held centrally.
§ Tim Loughton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what inspections are carried out on imported cargo at Heathrow airport, and where, to check for illegally imported meat products. [140997]
§ John Healey:HM Customs and Excise inspect imported cargo on a risk-based and intelligence-led basis. Since 11 April 2003 risk assessments have included illegally imported meat products. Checks are carried out in the Customs controlled freight area and can vary from simple visual inspections to full physical examinations.
§ Tim Loughton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what specialist training is available to customs officers to detect illegally imported meat products. [140999]
§ John Healey:The operational skills required for detecting illegally imported meat and other animal products are the same as for Customs and Excise other anti-smuggling responsibilities. All customs officers involved in such work are trained in anti-smuggling techniques before commencing operational duties.
As part of the implementation of their new responsibilities in respect of illegal imports of meat and products of animal origin, HM Customs and Excise have provided specific training to existing anti-smuggling staff across the United Kingdom. Similar training has been incorporated into formal training programmes for staff who are new to anti-smuggling work or who are receiving structured refresher training.
The training covers the scope of the relevant regulations and the ontrols, the nature of the products subject to prohibition or restriction, dealing with seizures, links to other agencies and where to seek advice.
§ Tim Loughton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many trained sniffer dogs are deployed for the detection of illegal meat imports at UK ports of entry; and where they are located. [141056]
§ John Healey:Customs deploy two meat detector dogs and a further four will be deployed early in the new year, as soon as their training is complete. All of these dogs can be deployed at any port or airport across the UK.
§ Tim Loughton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers of arrest are available to law enforcement officers operating at UK airports against people suspected of importing meat products illegally. [141058]
61W
§ John Healey:Customs officers have powers under Sections 50 and 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 to arrest any persons suspected of knowingly importing meat products illegally.