Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 12 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 January 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 19 January 2004 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, what restrictions she has placed on imports of beef into the UK from the USA following the recent BSE case there; and what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on achieving a common approach to policy. - (Holding answer 15 January 2004).

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions she has placed on imports of beef into the UK from the USA following the recent BSE case there; and what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on achieving a common approach to policy. [148306] Mr. Bradshaw: [holding answer 15 January 2004]: Animal and public health in the UK are protected from BSE from third countries by existing EU import rules. These rules require any third country exporting meat or live animals into the Community to have in place controls equivalent to those in the EU. These controls are supported by a requirement for veterinary certification in relation to individual meat consignments. Imports of beef and beef products are permitted only if EU rules requiring the removal of specified risk material (SRM--eg skull, tonsils, spinal cord, intestine) and methods of slaughter are met. A recent meeting of the EU's Chief Veterinary Officers was informed that the European Commission were following up the implications of the recent BSE case with the US authorities. The Chief Veterinary Officers supported the Commission in taking this approach. An EU technical visit to the US is being arranged to evaluate the position.

Secondary information