Illegal Meat Imports

HC Deb 28 October 2003 vol 412 c166W

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's progress in tackling illegal meat imports. [134004]

Mr. Bradshaw

Progress against the Government's Action Plan on illegal imports in the financial year 2002–03 is reported in the Annual Review of Controls on Imports of Animal Products. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries.

The 2003–04 Action Plan is appended to the Review, and we are working with HM Customs and other responsible parties to implement it. HM Customs took over responsibility for anti-smuggling controls at the border on 11 April this year. Progress will be reported in the next Annual Review, to be published after the end of this financial year.