§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of(a) the UK Government's and (b) the EU's regulatory systems to prevent the export of food produced in the EU accession countries which does not fully comply with EU slaughter and production standards. [167324]
§ Mr. Bradshaw[holding answer 22 April 2002]It is the responsibility of the relevant competent authorities in each accession country and EU Member State to ensure that all food is produced in accordance with EU legislation. Once food is placed on the market in the EU, it is up to the relevant central competent authorities in Member States to ensure that the legal requirements continue to be met. The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office is responsible for ensuring that competent authorities comply with these responsibilities. The Food and Veterinary Office have carried out a series of visits to accession countries to check that they have appropriate control systems in place, and will carry out further visits to ensure continuing compliance.
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 and the Meat Hygiene Service who carry out checks on food to ensure compliance with food safety and food hygiene standards.