Food: Imports

(asked on 10th November 2014) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to increase the number of ports with facilities for the inspection of imported food; and if she will make a statement.


Answered by
George Eustice Portrait
George Eustice
This question was answered on 20th November 2014

It is for port operators to decide if they wish to provide border inspection facilities to facilitate the importation of regulated food products. Defra’s responsibility, with regard to imports of animal products, is to work with Port Health Authorities and the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission to ensure that such facilities meet EU standards. The Food Standards Agency fulfils a similar role for the approval of Designated Points of Entry for food of non-animal origin.

I recognise the importance of having an adequate network of inspection facilities. I would welcome representations from interested parties, if it is believed there is a problem with the current provision of such facilities.

Reticulating Splines