Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Poultry Imports.

Austin Deasy

Question:

45 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the nature of veterinary inspections carried out by European Union veterinary officials on poultry imported into the EU from third countries. [9599/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to inspections by veterinary officials of member states of the European Union on live poultry imported into the European Union from third countries.

Inspection posts at European Union borders are manned by veterinary officials from the relevant member state who are required to perform the following checks on live animals, including poultry, entering the community from third countries: a documentary check, to ensure that the veterinary certificates and other documents accompanying the animal/s are in order; an identity check to ensure that the documentation presented relates to the animal/s being imported; a physical check of the animal/s – this includes a clinical examination of the animal/s to ensure that they conform to the information in the accompanying veterinary certificate and that they are clinically healthy and it may also include sampling and laboratory testing where this is considered necessary and animals, including poultry, which are imported from third countries, must be kept in isolation for a period of at least six weeks after import and must be clinically inspected at least once in that period by veterinary officials of the relevant member state – samples may be taken and laboratory analysis conducted during this period.

The veterinary inspections are provided for in harmonised EU rules specifying the conditions under which live animals can be imported into the European Union from third countries. Such imports are allowed only from establishments which have been approved by the European Commission and these in turn must be situated in countries or parts of countries on the Commission's approved list. These harmonised rules are designed to ensure that live animals may be imported only from third countries which are in a position provide the guarantees which are necessary to protect animal and public health in the European Union. Detailed conditions also apply in regard to the import of poultry meat from third countries.