Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his statement of 4 March 2013, on the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) Report on Events of 12 September 2012, whether AHVLA's summary of actions will be applicable to the live export trade across the UK in the event that transports begin operating from ports other than Ramsgate.
[146707]
Answer
The terms of reference for the Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) Report were specifically in relation to the port of Ramsgate. However, I can confirm that AHVLA will apply exactly the same principles behind the actions summarised in that report, to any other port that the exporters choose to use in the future. These principles provide for a proportionate, risk-based and non-discriminatory inspection regime, as required by EU legislation.