§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the transfer540W to Customs and Excise of responsibility for port checks on the importing of plant and animal products will become effective. [88429]
§ Margaret BeckettResponsibility for anti-smuggling controls of plant and animal products will pass to HM Customs and Excise as soon as practicable, which we hope will mean by 1 April 2003. We are, however, currently discussing with Customs and other enforcement agencies the legislative options for achieving this transfer and what, if any, transitional arrangements need to be made, before any firm commitments on a date can be given.
Responsibility for port checks on plant and animal products imported legally will continue to lie respectively with the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate and the official veterinary surgeons appointed by the relevant local or port health authority.