Vol. 525 No. 3
187 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if foods containing MRM are imported; if so, the countries of origin; the food safety controls in place for these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25194/00]
All food products traded within the European Union are subject to horizontal health rules which apply to all member states. However, there is no specific mechanism currently available to my Department to deter mine whether imported processed food products contain MRM as this is not a labelling requirement in the European Union.
In relation to imports from third countries, food products may be imported only from premises inspected and approved by the food and veterinary office of the European Union which are subject to standards equivalent to those required in Ireland and in other member states.
From May 1998, my Department introduced legislation which prohibited the use of bones of the vertebral columns of bovine, ovine and caprine animals in the production of MRM and a similar provision applies throughout the EU since 1 October 2000.
