§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her US counterpart about(a) the terrorist threat to the food chain and (b) relevant counter-terrorist measures. [104906]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 25 March 2003]: The Department is monitoring developments on this subject, including the actions taken in the United States, and during my most recent visit to Washington last month Secretary Veneman was able to update me on US legislation to protect the US food chain from bioterrorism.
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§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she has given to(a) food producers, (b) processors and (c) providers about practical steps to protect the food chain against terrorist attack. [104907]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 25 March 2003]: The UK has a highly effective food supply chain, providing wide consumer choice. The food retailers have robust and resilient business continuity plans to deal with any threat of disruption. Defra works closely with all parts of the industry to ensure that Government support is provided in the event of a part of the industry needing it in order to maintain supply to any part of the chain. The Government have a range of contingency plans in place to respond to a wide range of terrorist threats including those from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials. These plans are exercised and reviewed on a regular basis.