Vol. 530 No. 5
33 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has requested from the EU authorities a derogation for Ireland from the ban on the sale of T-bone steaks in view of the measures currently in place to ensure the safety of Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4094/01]
At a recent meeting of the standing veterinary committee on public health, it was agreed that the vertebral column should be removed from bovines over 12 months of age slaughtered after the 1 April 2001. The decision provides for an exemption for certain named member states from the ban on the vertebral column and there is a provision to allow other member states to apply for a similar derogation. It is my intention to seek a derogation for Ireland from the terms of this decision.
Among the justifications for seeking such a derogation is the fact that the EU scientific steering committee has assessed Ireland's control measures for BSE as optimally stable since 1998. In addition, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has consistently maintained that there is no public health risk for Irish consumers following the effective implementation of upgraded controls in 1997.
While I would have preferred if the Commission had granted Ireland a derogation from the outset, I do not believe the decision not to do so will cause major damage to Ireland. Our BSE controls are second to none and the decision allows for the export of carcasses in a form that would include the vertebral column. As indicated, I have already signalled my intention to seek a derogation.
