Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 April 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if imported processed beef products are subject to the same checks for specified risk material contamination as imported carcass beef. - (Holding answer 30 January 2001).

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if imported processed beef products are subject to the same checks for specified risk material contamination as imported carcase beef. [147856] Ms Stuart: [holding answer 30 January 2001]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that all checks for specified risk material (SRM) contamination rely on a careful visual inspection of carcase meat to ensure that the specified tissues have been fully removed. A visual check for SRM contamination is not possible once meat has been processed. Advice on the safety of imported beef and beef products was issued by the FSA on 22 December.

Secondary information