Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Poultry Industry.

John Bruton

Question:

210 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the quantified impact on the competitiveness of egg and poultry production of the implementation of EU rules on the welfare of poultry while similar rules do not apply to non-EU imports. [13515/01]

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

Ireland has for some years been a net importer of eggs, all of which are from the North of Ireland. Since the introduction of the Bord Bia egg quality assurance scheme such imports have shown a decrease.

Ireland remains a net exporter of poultrymeat, and while there are imports of chicken, almost all of them come from within the EU. The EU bloc remains a net exporter of both poultry and eggs.

Council Directive 1999-74-EC provides for minimum welfare standards for the protection of laying hens. Several provisions of this directive become operative next year with further provision being implemented in subsequent years. Attempts by the EU authorities to have EU wel fare standards accepted under WTO rules have proved unsuccessful.