Written question asked by Owen Paterson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 2004. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what research into available technology for improving the detection of diseased meat at airports his Department has (a) conducted and (b) evaluated; how illegal meat imports seized by Customs and Excise are disposed of.

Answer: Mr. Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what research into available technology for improving the detection of diseased meat at airports his Department has (a) conducted and (b) evaluated; [205988] (2) how illegal meat imports seized by Customs and Excise are disposed of. [205982] Dawn Primarolo: With the exception of those commercial consignments seized by Customs that can be restored on condition that they are re-exported in compliance with Regulation 24 of the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations 2004, all illegal meat seized by Customs is sealed and transported under approved conditions to an approved incinerator for disposal without delay. As the Government have concluded that all such seizures should be treated as a potential animal or human health risk. Customs have not conducted or evaluated any studies into detection technology specifically related to diseased meat.

Secondary information