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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 3

Written Answers. - Import Licences.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

108 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of import licences granted in the past 12 months; the number of such licences in respect of meat or other food imports; and the disease free status of the country of origin in each case. [7378/01]

A total of 540 import licences were issued by my Department over the last 12 months.

No import licences have been issued for animal products in the past 12 months other than 106 licences issued since 1 January 2000 in respect of the re-import of Irish animal product which has not reached its final destination. Imports of such products are allowed only from EU approved export premises. In such circumstances, an import licence is not required. However, premises in third countries which are approved for the export of products to the EU are subject to inspection by the Food and Veterinary Office of the EU and must apply health standards equivalent to those required in the EU. In addition, every consignment of such products must be cleared at their initial point of entry into the EU, at a border inspection post, where they are subject to documentary, identity and physical checks in accordance with the relevant EU legislation.

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