Written question asked by Bill Wiggin (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 2002. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many representations she has had urging her to tighten import controls on meat from (a) the Meat and Livestock Commission, (b) the NFU and (c) others.

Answer: Mr. Wiggin: :To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many representations she has had urging her to tighten import controls on meat from (a) the Meat and Livestock Commission, (b) the NFU and (c) others. [75143] Mr. Morley: Frequent high-level meetings, at both ministerial and official levels, have been held with representatives of the NFU and, to a lesser extent, the MLC. Both the MLC and NFU sit on the Illegal Imports Risk Assessment Steering Group. Ben Gill, NFU President, addressed the Illegal Imports Stakeholders' Forum held on 21 March 2002. Also present were the International Meat Trade Association, British Meat Manufacturers' Association, National Beef Association, National Pig Association, National Sheep Association, World Wildlife Fund, UK Association of Frozen Food Producers, Local and Port Health Authorities, British Airports Authority and British Ports Association. Meetings of foot and mouth disease stakeholders groups have been held regularly this year, addressing the issue of illegal imports. We have also received a substantial number of written representations from individuals, and organisations including the Wl, Townswomen, Councils, legal firms and agricultural equipment suppliers.

Secondary information