HL Deb 23 February 2004 vol 658 c38WA
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What systems they have in place to ensure that Regulation (EC) No 2065/2001, as regards the labelling of beef and beef products, is enforced across the United Kingdom. [HL1313]

Lord Whitty

Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000, as regards the labelling of beef and beef products, is enforced in the UK under the Beef Labelling (Enforcement) Regulations 2000, which give powers to enforcement officers to undertake inspections. In England and Wales, where responsibility for the legislation lies with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government, enforcement is undertaken by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) at slaughterhouses, cutting plants etc, and by Local Authorities at points of sale to the consumer. In Scotland, enforcement is by SEERAD and in Northern Ireland by DAR DNI. The labelling requirements in Regulation (EC) No. 1760/ 2000 applies only to fresh and frozen beef and veal, and mince; labelling of other meats and meat products is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).