MP SEEKS CONTROLS ON FOREIGN MEAT IMPORTS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Oct 2001

Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP, John Thurso, has stepped up his campaign to halt the import of meat into the UK from countries where disease such as foot and mouth is endemic in the national herds.

Following a letter to the Food Minister, Lord Whitty, the MP proposes further to highlight the situation by means of Parliamentary Questions when the Commons returns next week.

John Thurso said:

"UK agriculture is under extreme pressure. With our stock breeders facing a continuing ban on exports in the wake of the recent foot and mouth crisis, it is galling to the industry and those working hard to eradicate the disease to see the free flow into this country of meat from countries where foot and mouth is endemic in the national herds.

The UK has properly put in place very high standards of animal welfare and food production but these carry a considerable cost for our domestic producers. We have a very fine quality product and I would like to see more done to promote UK meat and a move away from the import of meat produced from animals which do not enjoy the same welfare regulations as stock reared in this country.

There is a strong demand for quality meat within the catering industry and I want to look at the feasibility of a scheme which would enable small producers in the North to come together to set up a direct line of supply to commercial interests in the South".