HL Deb 20 May 2003 vol 648 cc76-8WA
Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further measures, beyond consultation with the Magistrates' Association, they are taking to tackle the conviction rates for those caught smuggling illegal meats into the United Kingdom. [HL2739]

Lord Mcintosh of Haringey:

HM Customs and Excise, which took responsibility for anti-smuggling controls on meat from 11 April 2003, will deploy additional mobile anti-smuggling detection teams and trained dogs with particular responsibility for tackling smuggling of meat and animal products from non-EU countries. Its existing detection staff also include illegal meat in their responsibilities. Customs will prosecute in the most serious cases. Conviction on indictment for offences under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 attracts a higher maximum sentence than the previous legislation—seven years as opposed to two.

Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider collecting centrally information on the number of convictions made each year for the smuggling of illegal meat. [HL2740]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey:

HM Customs and Excise already maintain a central database that records all smuggling convictions. This will record any convictions for the smuggling of illegal meat after 11 April 2003.

Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the measures they are taking to combat illegal meat imports will deter potential smugglers, particularly when only a small number of those that are caught are prosecuted. [HL2741]

Lord Mcintosh of Haringey:

The Government believe that, by transferring responsibility to Customs for detecting illegal meat imports smugglers will face an increased risk of detection, seizure of the goods and higher maximum sentences. Measures to deter and detect smuggling will be kept under review to ensure their effectiveness, including those cases where smugglers are prosecuted.