§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Prime Minister which Government Departments are responsible for ensuring that(a) EU member states' and (b)> EU accession states' food imports to the UK meet the appropriate EU (i) slaughter, (ii) production, (iii) processing, (iv) labelling, (v) hygiene, (vi) food safety and (vii) traceability standards. [167322]
§ The Prime MinisterIt is the responsibility of the relevant authorities in each EU member state and accession state to ensure that all food is produced and exported in accordance with EU legislation. The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office is responsible for ensuring that authorities comply with these responsibilities.
Food coming to the UK from accession states before 1 May 2004 (and after this date for accession states not due to join the EU on 1 May) will be subject to the same import controls as food from other non-EU countries. Such food is subject to routine food safety and standards checks at UK ports by local authorities.
The Food Standards Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its agencies are responsible for food safety and food standards in the UK. Enforcement responsibilities are delegated to environmental health and trading standards departments in local authorities, who carry out checks on food to ensure compliance with food safety and food hygiene standards.