Vol. 506 No. 4
77 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children the indication, if any, he has received in consultation with his EU colleagues on when the health scare and precautions regarding Belgian produce will be ended in view of the fact that some employees of Irish based Belgian companies have been laid off. [15643/99]
On 28 May 1999, the member states of the European Union were informed by the Commission via the rapid alert system of the contamination with dioxin of certain foodstuffs produced in Belgium. Contamination had been discovered in poultry feed, poultry and egg products. Concern was then expressed about the possible contamination of other food products.
On 3 and 4 June 1999 respectively, the Commission adopted two decisions (1999/363/EC and 1999/368/EC) on protective measures with regard to contamination by dioxins of poultry and egg products and of products intended for human or animal consumption derived from bovine animals and pigs. These decisions require Belgium to prohibit the placing on the market of a range of listed products unless the products are not derived from holdings put under restriction by the Belgian authorities or the results of analysis indicate that the products are not contaminated with dioxin. The Belgian authorities were obliged to inform the Commission of the competent authorities to certify that produce is in compliance with these decisions.
Because of the possible risk to public health and because of our legal obligation under Commission decisions, the Department of Agriculture and Food detained suspect produce throughout the country and banned further imports. The Department of Health and Children banned the sale of suspect produce and issued an alert to retailers and health boards to withdraw and detain possible contaminated products on retail shelves. Consumers were advised to avoid eating Belgian products until clearance was received from the European Union.
There were certain delays in the European Commission receiving information from the Belgian authorities on certifying authorities as required under the Commission Decisions. On Friday June 11, the Irish authorities received clarification on this issue and the information was immediately provided to Irish importers and retailers. A certification procedure is now in place for products under veterinary control, as set down in Commission Decision 1999/390/EC and products are being released onto the market as soon as the certification is cleared by the relevant Department.
