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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the steps that have been taken to control illegal meat imports arriving in the UK via Heathrow airport. [27269] Mr. Morley: Since April last year we have taken a range of initiatives aimed at improving our ability to prevent and detect illegal imports of animal products. These initiatives have been co-ordinated by officials in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but involve other Departments such as HM Customs and Excise and the Food Standards Agency, and the local authorities who are responsible for controls at ports and airports. Checks on imports of animal products at Heathrow airport are primarily the responsibility of Hillingdon borough council. We have regular discussions with council officers about import controls. In addition customs officers and immigration officers are alert to the need to be vigilant to illegal imports of animal products carried in passenger baggage. Local authority officers, customs officers and state veterinary service officers at the airport liaise in organising checks of passenger baggage for illegal animal products. Posters have been placed at Heathrow and other airports alerting individuals to what products they may bring in. These are now being improved in the light of experience and discussion has taken place with the airport authority to ensure that posters are sited as effectively as possible.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

27269; 378 c795W;378 c791W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Airports Animal products Import controls Imports Heathrow Airport Meat Smuggling

Link

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