Written question asked by Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Thursday, 10 May 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when restrictions on imported beef from (a) Argentina and (b) other countries where foot and mouth disease is endemic were first imposed.

Answer: Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when restrictions on imported beef from (a) Argentina and (b) other countries where foot and mouth disease is endemic were first imposed. [155232] Ms Quin: EC rules permit the importation of meat from a limited number of third countries where foot and mouth disease is present and where the veterinary authorities have contained the disease in specified regions. The meat must come from those regions of the relevant countries that are not considered to pose a risk to human or animal health. Fully matured boneless beef, which does not pose a foot and mouth disease risk may be imported from other regions subject to veterinary certification. Countries to which these controls currently apply are Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Uruguay. Domestic legislation in England and Wales currently prohibits the import of meat from South Africa and Swaziland (since 5 January 2001), Argentina (since 14 March) and Uruguay (since 26 April). Scotland and Northern Ireland took similar action for each of these countries shortly after each of the dates specified.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 368 c286-7W; 155232
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Foot and mouth disease EU external trade Import controls Imports Meat Argentina
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk