Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 5

Written Answers. - EU Food and Animal Health Policies.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

23 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he is satisfied, in the wake of recent events, that the EU food and animal health policies pursued to date are effective in terms of the protection of the food chain and disease isolation and eradication; if he has proposals to ensure the highest possible status for all meat and meat products produced or traded within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9249/01]

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

I am satisfied the measures in place both at EU and national level are effective in terms of the protection of the food chain.

Recent events have given rise to questions about the effectiveness of the EU's regime for the protection of animal health. In this regard I am particularly concerned about controls on the importation of food products from third countries.

I have already raised this issue at the Council of Ministers in the context of the recent outbreak of classical swine fever in the UK and of the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease, both of which may have originated through the consumption of contaminated food products from third countries. My view is that the EU Commission must begin to focus to a greater extent on the controls on third country imports at the borders of the European Union. I have already raised this matter at the EU Council of Ministers and will continue to address this issue at European level in the coming weeks to establish the Commission's intentions in this regard.