Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026

Written Question · S4W-11096 · Session 4

What recent assessment it has made of the quality standards of food to be imported into Scotland.

Answered Asked by Helen Eadie Lab Lodged 9 Nov 2012

The question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the quality standards of food to be imported into Scotland.

The answer

Answered by Richard Lochhead on 26 Nov 2012 · 17 days after it was lodged, on time

Assessment of imported food (where imported food is food that originates outside of the European Union) (EU) takes place on an ongoing basis. A proportion of imported food is subject to documentary, identity and physical checks on entry to the EU with additional checks and sampling carried out on products of animal origin and particular products from certain countries where there is a known human or animal health risk. Once imported food has passed import controls, it may be moved freely around the EU.
EU food safety law requires that food is safe when it leaves the establishment of production and is placed on the market. The Food and Veterinary Office of the EU audits standards both within member states and countries outside of the EU.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) provides annual sampling grants to local food authorities for imported food analysis. In addition, food authorities carry out imported food checks at food business establishments as part of their routine inspection programme.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-11096 by reference.