To ask Her Majesty's Government how much horse meat is imported to the United Kingdom; whether it is all covered by horse passports; and how the link between the passport and the meat is made. [HL5941]

Figures are not held on the amount of horse meat imported into the UK. Traditionally, UK consumers have not consumed horse meat so it is unlikely that any significant quantity is imported. Horse passports are not required for the import of horse meat into the UK.

Horse passports indicate that a horse is eligible for entry into the food chain and can be slaughtered for human consumption. After slaughter, the passport is either destroyed or invalidated and returned to the issuing body.