HC Deb 23 June 2003 vol 407 cc623-4W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on recent increases of security at ports and airports to counter illegal imports of meat. [121270]

John Healey

Following a Cabinet Office Review, which reported in November 2002, into the organisation of controls on products of animal origin, fish, plants and forestry products, responsibility for anti-smuggling activities relating to illegal imports of meat arriving from third countries was transferred to Customs on 11 April.

Customs will receive £4m of new Government investment in 2003–04 which will enable it to: Establish four new flexibly deployed strike force teams that can be mobilised to respond quickly to identified threats anywhere in the UK. Expand the detector dog programme from two to six. Provide extra intelligence activity. Provide publicity in ports and airports in the UK and overseas.

Customs' new role, together with the measures to be taken by other agencies, is described in the 'Government Action Plan 2003–2004 on Illegal Imports of Meat, Other Animal Products, Plants and Plant Products'

Number of deaths from intentional self harm1 and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted2, by sex and age. England and Wales, 1997 to 20013
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
(a) Males
(i) 13–15
Intentional self harm 3 4 4 7 6
Injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted 10 6 2 12 5
Total 13 10 6 19 11
(ii) 16–17
Intentional self harm 19 24 19 24 17
Injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted 18 20 20 14 20
Total 37 44 39 38 37
(iii) 18–21
Intentional self harm 142 126 126 117 114

which was published on 17 June. The Plan is available on the Defra website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ illegali.