Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.
Deirdre Clune
Question:
189
Ms Clune
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
if processors of imported poultry meat are required to indicate the country of origin on their labelling system; if not, the plans, if any, he has to introduce this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23581/99]
Poultry products are imported from other member states of the European Union and from third countries in accordance with EU harmonised rules. The product may be exported direct to Ireland or through another member state.
The importation of meat products is governed by the European Union harmonised rules. The main conditions for imports into Ireland provided for by the harmonised rules are: advance notification to my Department of each consignment; the goods must be accompanied by veterinary certification or, in certain cases, a commercial document; the goods must come from an approved establishment, that is, slaughterhouse, cutting plant or cold-store which has been approved by the EU Commission; and the goods may be subject to inspection by officials of my Department.
In addition to the main conditions the meat products must be marked with a health mark in accordance with the requirements of Council Directive No. 77/99/EEC, in respect of produce from member states and for produce from third countries under Council Directive 64/433/EEC. The health mark contains the initials of the exporting member state-third country and the approval number of the consigning establishment within the oval surround.
Product imported and retailed without further processing must bear the appropriate health mark of the consigning establishment. Where the product is further processed after import the processed product in that instance carries the health mark of the approved processing plant.
Deirdre Clune
Question:
190
Ms Clune
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the amount of poultry meat imported on an annual basis; the country of origin of these imports; if he has satisfied himself that this meat conforms with the relevant standards here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23582/99]
The statistics on the poultry meat imports as provided by the CSO in recent years are as follows–
|
Year
|
Total
|
EU Sourced
|
Non-EUSourced
|
|
1997
|
17,494 Tonnes
|
17,409 Tonnes
|
85 Tonnes
|
|
1998
|
23,043 Tonnes
|
22,953 Tonnes
|
90 Tonnes
|
|
1999(to May,1999)
|
18,572 Tonnes
|
18,513 Tonnes
|
59 Tonnes
|
Poultry products are imported from other member states of the European Union and from third countries, which may be exported direct to Ireland or through another member state.
The importation of meat products is governed by the European Union harmonised rules. The main conditions for imports into Ireland are: advance notification to my Department of each consignment; the goods must be accompanied by veterinary certification or, in certain cases, a commercial document; the goods must come from an approved establishment, that is, slaughterhouse, cutting plant or cold-store which has been approved by the EU Commission; and the goods may be subject to inspection by officials of my Department.
Imports of poultry meat products are selected for sampling on a regular basis to monitor the health status of the product. Under arrangements agreed between the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and my Department, 1,200 samples of imported poultry meat will be tested to check for the presence of illegal residues. It must be borne in mind, however, that particular imports cannot be specifically targeted for monitoring as Ireland, being a member of the European Union, is obliged under EU legislation to allow the free circulation of legally imported goods within the EU. Goods detected as not being in compliance with the veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination and if necessary destroyed.
