HL Deb 01 March 2005 vol 670 c20WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the timetable laid down in Regulation 6(3) of the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (No. 2) Regulations is the same for all other European Union member states; and whether it is rigorously enforced by each of them. [HL1279]

Lord Whitty

The requirements laid down in Regulation 6(3) of the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 implement provisions set out in EU Directives 91/68/EEC for sheep and goats and 64/432/EEC for cattle and pigs.

These directives apply to and must be implemented by all member states. The EU Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) visits member states to check on the implementation and enforcement of this and other EU legislation.

The timetable for such visits is set annually by the FVO. Following a visit, the FVO produces a written report. This report highlights any deficiencies in implementation. The member state concerned is required to produce an action plan setting out remedial action. If the action plan is not followed and the member state does not comply with the requirements of the legislation, one of the courses of action open to the EU Commission is to take legal proceedings (that is, infraction proceedings) against the offending member state.