Vol. 358 No. 6
asked the Minister for Agriculture if Ireland has agreed to surrender her special position under EC harmonisation law for foot and mouth disease, a concession we have enjoyed since our entry into the EC; if he will outline the benefits that would accrue from such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
19.
(Limerick West),Mr. J. Walsh and Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture if he sought retention of Ireland's national rules on imports of live animals and fresh meat from the EC and third country sources, as a protection against foot and mouth disease, at the Council of Ministers meeting on 10-11 December 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
20.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will introduce any regulations to prevent foot and mouth disease outbreaks following the termination of the EC derogation on 31 December 1984; if he will take the necessary steps to maintain Ireland's white country status; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19 and 20 together.
On accession to the European Communities we were obliged to accept the Community legislation in regard to imports of live animals and meat but we were afforded a temporary derogation to maintain our own national controls until the end of 1977. We subsequently obtained extensions of the derogation until the end of 1982, the end of 1983, June 1984 and finally December 1984.
We must now apply permanent trading arrangements based on Community legislation but we are not required to dismantle all our import controls immediately as we have been given until 30 September next to adapt our legislation and to introduce the necessary inspection and other controls for imports. While the ending of the derogations will mean that we will no longer be able to prohibit imports of live animals and fresh meat, we will nevertheless be entitled to certain guarantees which will minimise the risk of importing disease and will ensure continuing access to the valuable export markets developed over the years on the basis of freedom from disease.
(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware of the consequences of this decision to the disease free status of our herds?
There will be no consequences in regard to our white status.
(Limerick West): The Minister's reply does not deal with reality. Of course there are serious consequences and the Minister and his departmental officials should be aware of them in regard to our herds if this derogation is not upheld.
I am particularly familiar with the situation because I was in Brussels when it was being worked out by our veterinary officials. There will be no change in the case of live animals because they will be kept in quarantine and subjected to tests. There will also be pre-export isolation. We will only accept nonvaccinated animals and most EC countries vaccinate against foot and mouth disease. They must also have a very intensive test for foot and mouth and a serological test before they are allowed in. On their arrival here they are quarantined for 21 days and, if we wish, we can repeat these tests in quarantine. All this applies to the white listed countries, including Canada. There has been no incidence of foot and mouth in the EC due to trade in fresh meat. The Community rules have proved adequate to protect member states from foot and mouth in trade of fresh or processed meat. Where an outbreak occurs in certain member states we are entitled to certain guarantees in regard to maturation and deboning until 31 March 1987. By "maturation" I mean that meat will have to be hung for a certain length of time and deboned meat is considered safe.
(Limerick West): Is the Minister happy that the necessary precautions have been taken?
I am because everybody can see that we would not get away with derogation forever. We asked for a reliable, permanent system and I am satisfied that we have got one.
The Minister mentioned Canada earlier on. Does he agree that this disastrous capitulation was the main contributory factor to the loss of that very important market?
Not at all. The Canadian decision was taken against the EC, not against us.
It affected us because our status was reduced to that of the EC and we should be looking for the status of the EC to be brought up to ours. It was a disastrous capitulation.
Could the Minister say whether there is a threat to our bacon and pork industry because of the importation of Danish bacon on 1 October?
The rules governing bacon and pork will remain in force, I am talking about meat.
Could the Minister answer "yes" or "no"?
It seems to be a separate question.
All meat is subject to strict rules as regards foot and mouth disease.
