Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Monday, 10 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 February 2003. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement about the level of toxins in illegally imported bushmeat.

Answer: Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the level of toxins in illegally imported bushmeat. [97756] Ms Blears: The Food Standards Agency, which has responsibility for food safety matters, has advised that information is not available on the level of toxins in illegally imported bush meat. All illegally imported food has evaded official controls designed to verify compliance with food safety standards and could pose a danger to human health. Such food may therefore be destroyed by local authorities without the need for sampling to detect micro-organisms, toxins or other contamination.

Secondary information