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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if (a) chloraphenicol and (b) streptomycin have been found in Chinese honey imported by the UK. - Includes ref to website www.food.gov.uk.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if (a) chloraphenicol and (b) streptomycin have been found in Chinese honey imported by the UK. - Includes ref to website www.food.gov.uk.
Asked by
Bob Spink
(Conservative)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 March 2002
For answer on
15 May 2002
Answered on
15 May 2002
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if (a) chloramphenicol and (b) streptomycin have
been found in Chinese honey imported by the UK. [42495]
Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
Following regulatory action by the European Commission on products of animal origin from China, the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
immediately began testing some products of animal origin already in the United Kingdom and as a result called for the withdrawal of
jars of Chinese and blended honey on sale in the UK to ensure consumers are protected.
Both streptomycin and chloramphenicol (antibiotics) were found in samples of Chinese and blended honey. The FSA published the
results of this analysis in two press releases: `Tests on Chinese and blended honey show traces of illegal residue of veterinary
drug', which was issued on 6 February 2002, and `Tests on Chinese and blended honey show further illegal drug residue' which was
issued on 19 February 2002. Illegal residues of chloramphenicol were also found in samples of another bee product, royal jelly, at
similar levels as those found in honey. The FSA again called for the withdrawal of Chinese and other royal jelly products which did
not meet legal requirements. The main known risk from chloramphenicol relates to aplastic anaemia, a rare but serious blood disorder
in susceptible individuals. The FSA, on the advice of expert toxicologists, has concluded that overall the levels of this antibiotic
in honey pose an extremely small risk to public health. The streptomycin found was not considered to be of toxicological concern.
The FSA's advice to the consumer is that, given the extremely small risk, people can continue to eat any honey they have already
bought, irrespective of country of origin. This advice also applies to other foods that contain honey, where the risk is even lower.
Given the low risk, consumers were not advised against the consumption of royal jelly.
Full details have been published on the FSA website, www.food.gov.uk.
Subjects
Antibiotics; China; Imports; Honey
Date
15 May 2002
Reference
42495; 385 c658-9W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment has been made of the potential health hazards posed to humans by the import and use of non-human primates in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer issued on Wednesday 10 May)..
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment has been made of the potential health hazards posed to humans by the import and use of non-human primates in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer issued on Wednesday 10 May)..
Asked by
Norman Baker
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 March 2002
For answer on
10 May 2002
Answered on
10 May 2002
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the potential health hazards posed to humans
by the import and use of non-human primates in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [47999]
Yvette Cooper: [holding reply issued on Wednesday 10 May]: There is a statutory obligation under the Control of Substances Hazardous
to Health Regulations placed upon employers importing and using non-human primates to assess the potential health risks of their
activities to both their employees and to others who might be affected by their undertaking. The potential risks will vary according
to the different purposes the primates are being used for and the origin of the primate.
Guidance was issued in 1997 from the advisory committee on dangerous pathogens (ACDP), in consultation with the Health and Safety
Executive, entitled "Working safely with research animals: Management of infection risks". This summarises the infection risks to
humans posed by non-human primates most commonly used in research.
Further supplementary guidance entitled "Working safely with simians: Management of infection risks" was issued by the ACDP in 1998
addressing the particular risks posed to those working with simians (apes and monkeys). This guidance revised and updated earlier
guidance on infections associated with simians first issued by the Medical Research Council in 1985, revised in 1990.
Subjects
Animal experiments; Health hazards; Disease control; Infectious diseases; Imports; Primates
Date
10 May 2002
Reference
47999; 385 c405W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce public notification of proscribed foodstuffs at ports of entry into the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce public notification of proscribed foodstuffs at ports of entry into the United Kingdom.
Asked by
Andrew Murrison
(Conservative)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 April 2002
For answer on
10 May 2002
Answered on
10 May 2002
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce public notification of proscribed foodstuffs
at ports of entry into the United Kingdom. [52986]
Yvette Cooper: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that existing controls under European Union harmonised legislation
require prior notification to the enforcement authorities of imports of products of animal origin from third countries. Food which
is not of animal origin entering the United Kingdom from third countries is not generally subject to prior notification. Food safety
checks are however made under Great Britain's Imported Food Regulations 1997 and their equivalent in Northern Ireland on the basis
of risk assessment by local food authorities at the point of entry to the UK. Local authorities can refuse entry or arrange
destruction of foods that do not meet the UK's requirements. Food coming to the UK from other EU Member States is in free
circulation within the EU and is not subject to routine checks at UK ports.
The Board of the FSA has asked its officials to review the import controls on food which is not of animal origin including the
question of prior notification. In doing so, the FSA will take account of the development of EU proposals to establish a Community
framework for official controls on food and animal feed which may include a proposal for pre-notification of imports of food of non
animal origin.
Subjects
Health hazards; Food; Import controls; Imports; Safety; Smuggling
Date
10 May 2002
Reference
52986; 385 c400-1W;385 c399-401W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many incidents of spinal cord and other banned meat products have been detected in imported meat in the last three years - Includes figures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many incidents of spinal cord and other banned meat products have been detected in imported meat in the last three years - Includes figures.
Asked by
Tom Levitt
(Labour)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 March 2002
For answer on
1 May 2002
Answered on
1 May 2002
Mr. Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of spinal cord and other banned meat products have been
detected in imported meat in the last three years. [46790]
Yvette Cooper: Since 1 January 2001 there have been 29 incidents involving the finding of specified risk material (SRM) in meat
imported into the UK, of which 28 involved spinal cord. Prior to 1 October 2001, SRM cases were not recorded in a way that
distinguished them from other breaches of import controls.
Government records of breaches of import controls relate to all products of animal origin detained at border inspection posts, and
do not distinguish meat and meat products from other products of animal origin. Since 1 January 2000 there have been a total of
1,205 such breaches. These cases involved a variety of failings, including the absence of the necessary health mark, or the general
deterioration of the meat during unsatisfactory means of transportation. Records prior to 2000 are not available.
The Food Standards Agency advise that the vast majority of consignments of meat imported into the UK fully meet the public health
requirements for importation.
Subjects
Contamination; Disease control; Import controls; Imports; Meat; Meat products; BSE
Date
1 May 2002
Reference
46790; 384 c873-4W;384 c873W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what outbreaks of disease in humans in Britain have been linked to the import of illegal meat products in the past five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what outbreaks of disease in humans in Britain have been linked to the import of illegal meat products in the past five years.
Asked by
Tom Levitt
(Labour)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 March 2002
For answer on
29 April 2002
Answered on
29 April 2002
Mr. Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what outbreaks of disease in humans in Britain have been linked to the import
of illegal meat products in the past five years. [46775]
Yvette Cooper: The UK organisations involved in the collection of foodborne disease data are not aware of any links of illegal
imported meat products to outbreaks of foodborne disease in humans in the last five years.
Subjects
Diseases; Health hazards; Disease control; Imports; Meat; Smuggling
Date
29 April 2002
Reference
46775; 384 c625W;384 c623W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures the Food Standards Agency is taking to detect infected meat which has been imported from abroad and (a) is unsafe for human consumption and (b) could pass the infection to a farm animal; and if he will make a statement....
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures the Food Standards Agency is taking to detect infected meat which has been imported from abroad and (a) is unsafe for human consumption and (b) could pass the infection to a farm animal; and if he will make a statement....
Asked by
Alan Reid
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 March 2002
For answer on
19 April 2002
Answered on
19 April 2002
Mr. Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Food Standards Agency is taking to detect infected meat
which has been imported from abroad and (a) is unsafe for human consumption and (b) could pass the infection to a farm animal; and
if he will make a statement. [48175]
Yvette Cooper: [holding reply issued 11 April 2002]:
European Union (EU) food hygiene legislation on meat for human consumption requires that all meat sold on the single market must be
fit for human consumption, and free from animal diseases. It must have passed the specified health checks under veterinary
supervision, and have been awarded the appropriate health mark.
Meat produced within the EU may circulate freely on the single market, and is not subject to border controls. However, imports of
meat from other EU states are subject to random checks by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) at meat cutting plants, or by local
authorities in meat plants under their supervision. Following problems over the presence of Specified Risk Material in contravention
of BSE rules, the Food Standards Agency has instructed the MHS to inspect every single consignment of imported carcass beef.
All meat imports from third countries also have to satisfy the conditions set out in EU food hygiene and import legislation. The
latter includes prior notification and importation through EU authorised Border Inspection Posts (BIPs). In the BIP, the meat is
subject to a 100 per cent check of identity and documentation, and a random physical check. The controls cover both public and
animal health aspects with responsibility resting respectively with the Food Standards Agency and the Department of Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Local authorities, including port health authorities, have day-to-day responsibility for enforcement
of the import legislation in BIPs.
Agency officials are exploring proposals made in a report approved by the Board of the Food Standards Agency with a view to making a
number of improvements to controls on imports at ports, and have already issued written guidance to port health authorities and
local authorities to ensure there is continued vigilance and checks on imported products both at the point of import and at the
retail level. In addition the Food Standards Agency is taking an active role in interdepartmental initiatives led by DEFRA aimed at
co-ordinating action across Government concerned with illegal imports of meat.
Subjects
Contamination; Disease control; Infectious diseases; Import controls; Imports; Meat
Date
19 April 2002
Reference
48175; 383 c1242-3W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what investigation she has made into carcasses being imported into the UK with spinal cords still in place; how many of these came from countries (a) with and (b) without records of BSE infection; and if she will make a statement. -...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what investigation she has made into carcasses being imported into the UK with spinal cords still in place; how many of these came from countries (a) with and (b) without records of BSE infection; and if she will make a statement. -...
Asked by
Laurence Robertson
(Conservative)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 February 2002
For answer on
4 March 2002
Answered on
4 March 2002
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigation he has made into carcases being imported into
the UK with spinal cords still in place; how many of these came from countries (a) with and (b) without records of BSE infection;
and if he will make a statement. [39259]
Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 28 February 2002]:
I am advised on matters of food safety by the Food Standards Agency.
On each occasion where consignments of imported carcase meat have been found with remnants of spinal cord still attached, the matter
has been vigorously pursued with the chief veterinary officer of the European Union member state of origin, and with the European
Commission. Where the incident has revealed a systematic problem, the FSA has pressed for firm action at the exporting plant. In
eight cases, this has led to plant licences being suspended or certain operations halted until the authorities have been satisfied
that the problems have been rectified.
All EU member states involved in these incidents have reported BSE cases during 2001. Further information is set out in the table.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Number of:
Exporting country consignments where spinal cord found by UK reported BSE cases (2001)
veterinary inspectors{ 1}
Germany 8 125
Netherlands 6 20
Ireland 4 242
Belgium 2 46
Spain 2 82
Italy 1 48
Denmark 1 6
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
{1} 1 January 2001 to 26 February 2002
Subjects
EU countries; Health hazards; Disease control; Food; Imports; Meat; Safety; BSE
Date
4 March 2002
Reference
39259; 381 c139-40W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the regulation of food imports. - (Holding answer 31 January 2002).
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the regulation of food imports. - (Holding answer 31 January 2002).
Asked by
David Amess
(Conservative)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 January 2002
For answer on
4 February 2002
Answered on
4 February 2002
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the regulation of food imports. [29541]
Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 31 January 2002]: All imports of products of animal origin, such as meat and dairy products, to the
United Kingdom from countries outside of the European Union are subject to harmonised EU import controls. All such imports must
enter the UK through designated border inspection posts where they undergo documentary and identity checks and a proportion are
subject to physical checks. Food which is not of animal origin, such as fruit and vegetables, from countries outside of the EU is
subject to import controls under UK national legislation and is subject to checks on the basis of risk assessment by local port
health authorities and local food authorities at the point of entry to the UK.
Food coming to the UK from other EU member states is in free circulation within the EU and is not subject to routine checks at UK
ports. Such food can be subject to import checks where there is information to support such action.
Once admitted to the UK, all imported food may be subject to the same checks at retail level by local authorities in the same way as
those applicable to UK produced food.
The Board of the Food Standards Agency recently approved a report containing a number of proposals aimed at improving the
co-ordination of enforcement action on imports and the effectiveness of inspection of import controls. Agency officials are
exploring these proposals further and will report back to the board.
Subjects
Food; Import controls; Imports; Food Standards Agency; Regulation
Date
4 February 2002
Reference
29541; 379 c792W;379 c788W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to improve surveillance measures on imports of Belgian beef in order to ensure the prevention of specified risk material entering the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to improve surveillance measures on imports of Belgian beef in order to ensure the prevention of specified risk material entering the UK.
Asked by
Ann Winterton
(Conservative)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 December 2001
For answer on
11 January 2002
Answered on
11 January 2002
Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to improve
surveillance measures on imports of Belgian beef in order to ensure the prevention of specified risk material entering the UK.
[23058]
Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
Specified risk material, in the form of spinal cord, has been found in carcase beef imported from Belgium on two occasions, both
during November 2001. The beef came from two different Belgian plants, and in each case only a small proportion of the total
consignment of carcase beef was involved. The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which is responsible for food safety matters in the
United Kingdom, informed the Belgian authorities promptly about these incidents, asking them to investigate and to notify the FSA of
the action being taken to prevent a recurrence. On each occasion the FSA also notified the European Commission.
As meat is part of the single European market, beef from another European Union member state is not subject to border inspection
controls. But it is subject to checks at the meat plant of destination within the United Kingdom. In April 2001, the FSA instructed
the Meat Hygiene Service to check every consignment of imported carcase beef arriving at licensed meat plants in Great Britain.
Similar advice was given to local authorities, and in Northern Ireland. This policy remains current practice.
Subjects
Health hazards; Disease control; Import controls; Imports; Meat; Safety; Beef; Belgium
Date
11 January 2002
Reference
23058; 377 c1042W;377 c1046W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list by country the sources of beef found to have traces of specified risk material in consignments of beef imported into the UK in the past 12 months. - Inc list.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list by country the sources of beef found to have traces of specified risk material in consignments of beef imported into the UK in the past 12 months. - Inc list.
Asked by
Ann Winterton
(Conservative)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 December 2001
For answer on
11 January 2002
Answered on
11 January 2002
Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list by country the sources of
beef found to have traces of specified risk material in consignments of beef imported into the UK in the past 12 months. [23059]
Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
In the past 12 months, traces of specified risk material have been found in consignments of beef imported into the United Kingdom
from Germany (8 times), the Netherlands (5 times), Ireland (4 times), Belgium (twice), Spain (twice), Italy (once) and Denmark
(once).
The sources of the beef are shown in the table.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Country Plant Date of SRM find in UK
Germany Loblein Teterower Fleisch, Gustrow 17 January 2001
Westfleische, Lubbecke 17 January 2001
Standard Fleisch, Oldenburg 29 January 2001
Fleisch-Versand Heinz Gausepohl, Bakum 1 February 2001
Fleischverkaufsstelk, Kalkar 1 March 2001
Mueller Fleisch, Birkenfeld 2 March 2001
Fleischzentrum, Wilhelmshaven 30 March 2001
Gausepohl Fleisch, Bakum 25 June 2001
Netherlands Brada's Vleesbedrijft, Leewarden 1 March 2001
Brada's Vleesbedrijft, Leewarden 5 March 2001
Domburg Vlees, Bodegraven 7 August 2001
Exspl. J Gosschalk en Zoon, Epe 21 August 2001
Kroot Vlees, Tilburg 24 October 2001
Ireland Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff 2 February 2001
Kildare Chilling, Kildare 21 March 2001
Fair Oaks (Clonmel), Clonmel 2 August 2001
Fair Oaks (Carlow), Bagenalstown 10 and 11 December 2001
Belgium NV EEG Slacthuis Verbist, Izegem 15 November 2001
NV Dierickx, Zele 29 November 2001
Spain Givesa, Palencia 7 March 2001
Fribin, Binepar 9 March 2001
Italy Industria Carni, Torino 20 March 2001
Denmark Danish Crown, Skive 30 April 2001
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Subjects
Contamination; Health hazards; Imports; Meat; Safety; Beef
Date
11 January 2002
Reference
23059; 377 c1042-4W;377 c1046-8W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to require (a) restaurants and (b) fast-food outlets to disclose the country of origin of the meat in the meals which they serve. - Including fact that we have no plans to require...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to require (a) restaurants and (b) fast-food outlets to disclose the country of origin of the meat in the meals which they serve. - Including fact that we have no plans to require...
Asked by
Michael Moore
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 November 2001
For answer on
19 December 2001
Answered on
19 December 2001
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to require (a)
restaurants and (b) fast-food outlets to disclose the country of origin of the meat in the meals which they serve. [19248]
Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
We have no plans to require this information to be given either in restaurants or fast-food outlets.
However, the Food Standards Agency has recently reviewed the advice produced by the Government last year on the interpretation of
existing rules on misleading labelling and country of origin. The review aims to ensure this advice addresses the issues that are of
most concern to consumers and encourage increased voluntary declarations. The FSA's draft advice has been issued for public
consultation and makes clear that, in catering establishments, care should be taken to ensure the wording of any origin information
on menus etc. is clear and unambiguous.
Subjects
Labelling; Imports; Food Standards Agency; Meat; Origin marking; Restaurants
Date
19 December 2001
Reference
377 c427-8W; 19248
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussion he has had with colleagues in other Government departments on (a) the level of illegal meat imports into the UK and (b) the effectiveness of controls and enforcement measures at (i) ports, (ii) airports and (iii) elsewhere to tackle...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussion he has had with colleagues in other Government departments on (a) the level of illegal meat imports into the UK and (b) the effectiveness of controls and enforcement measures at (i) ports, (ii) airports and (iii) elsewhere to tackle...
Asked by
Andrew George
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 November 2001
For answer on
19 December 2001
Answered on
19 December 2001
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussion he has had with colleagues in other Government
Departments on (a) the level of illegal meat imports into the UK and (b) the effectiveness of controls and enforcement measures at
(i) ports, (ii) airports and (iii) elsewhere to tackle illegal meat imports; and what assessment he has made of the need for further
action. [19305]
Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 29 November 2001]:
The Food Standards Agency, which is responsible for public health issues relating to food safety, is taking an active role in an
interdepartmental review led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs aimed at co-ordinating action across
Government to ensure that rules governing imports of products of animal origin are enforced effectively.
The board of the Food Standards Agency discussed the issue of food import controls on 22 October 2001. The board approved a report
containing a set of proposals aimed at improving the co-ordination of controls and the effectiveness of inspection of food imports.
FSA officials are exploring these proposals further and will report back to the board.
Subjects
Airports; Enforcement; Government departments; Import controls; Imports; Ports; Meat; Smuggling
Date
19 December 2001
Reference
377 c441-2W; 19305
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources available to port health authorities to protect the UK from infected foodstuffs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources available to port health authorities to protect the UK from infected foodstuffs.
Asked by
Mark Todd
(Labour)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
28 June 2001
For answer on
18 July 2001
Answered on
18 July 2001
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the adequacy of
resources available to port health authorities to protect the UK from infected foodstuffs. [1995]
Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
The level of port health resources is a matter for the relevant local authority which allocate funds according to local need.
Imports of food of animal origin such as meat and meat products are subject to harmonised European Union legislation. Such products
must enter the EU through a border inspection post (BIP) and are subject to specified import checks. The costs of these inspections
are charged to importers. The performance of BIPs is audited by the European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office and monitored
by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The inspection of imported food of non-animal origin such as fruit and vegetables is not a harmonised EU area and the regulations
are national legislation. Such inspections are not funded through the charge of fees to importers. These costs fall to the local
authority that has responsibility for a particular port health authority. The Food Standards Agency monitors general food
enforcement activity by all local authorities, including port health authorities, and has recently begun a programme of audits to
provide more detailed information on enforcement standards. Local authorities would be expected to take notice of the outcome of the
audits and any recommendations made.
The FSA is aware of concerns about imported food. The FSA is carrying out a review of import controls and will make recommendations.
The FSA is also working closely with port health authorities to encourage more effective and consistent enforcement of food law.
This includes involvement in a benchmarking exercise recently started by the Association of Port Health Authorities, the
representative body for port health authorities, aimed at producing a more uniform approach to service levels, policies and
procedures. The FSA is participating in a cross-Whitehall initiative to ensure that import controls are made as effective as
possible.
Subjects
Health hazards; Food; Health authorities; Import controls; Imports; Ports
Date
18 July 2001
Reference
1995; 372 c290-1W
House
House of Commons