§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of antibiotics in imported meats. [137288]
§ Mr. BradshawResidues of antibiotics, other veterinary medicines and banned substances in meats imported from third countries are controlled at two levels. First, the European Commission requires all third countries wishing to export food products to the EU to submit annual residue monitoring plans. These must demonstrate that the third country understands that exports to Member States should not contain substances banned in the EU, or authorised veterinary medicines in excess of the EC Maximum Residue Limit. These arrangements replicate the obligations placed on Member States to ensure that any residues of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs produced in the EU are at a level safe for consumers. The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office also carries out missions to third countries to inspect and audit the arrangements they have in place to meet this requirement. Secondly, imports into the UK are randomly sampled at Border Inspection Posts and, to a lesser extent, at retail outlets. These samples are tested for a range of residues, including antibiotics. Any positives are considered for their consumer safety implications by toxicologists and the importing country's authorities are asked to investigate. Results of all the tests are reported on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's website and in their quarterly newsletter.
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