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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the import into Britain of livestock products is allowed from countries in which foot and mouth is endemic. [153363] Mr. Nick Brown: The importation of meat is not permitted from regions where foot and mouth disease is present. EC rules permit imports from those regions of the relevant countries which are not considered to pose a risk to human or animal health. Fully matured boneless beef, which does not pose an FMD 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, Colombia and Uruguay. Because of their FMD situation prohibitions are currently in place on imports of meat of FMD susceptible species from South Africa, Swaziland and Argentina. All meat imported from third countries is subject to veterinary checks at Border Inspection Posts to ensure that import requirements are met.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

153363; 367 c50W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Disease control Foot and mouth disease Import controls Imports Meat

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk