Vol. 536 No. 2
231 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the tonnage of foodstuffs which have been imported from countries where foot and mouth is endemic from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 and from 1 January 2001 to 30 April 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13828/01]
233 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the tonnage of meat and meat products which have been imported from countries where foot and mouth is endemic between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2001 and from 1 January 2001 to 30 April 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13831/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 233 together.
Foot and mouth disease is endemic in a significant number of countries in Africa, Asia and South America. European Community legislation prohibits the importation from such countries of live animals, fresh meat and raw milk. Meat and milk products which have undergone specified processing in accordance with EU standards may be imported subject to certain control provisions. In addition, under the regionalisation principle, parts of a country may be prohibited from exporting products thus allowing the remainder of the country to continue with their export trade. In general the conditions are similar to those set for trade between EU member states where there is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
The statistical information sought on imports from third countries is appropriate to the Central Statistics Office which is under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.
232 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the tonnage of plant and vegetable foodstuffs which have been imported from countries where foot and mouth is endemic from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 and from 1 January 2001 to 30 April 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/01]
Foot and mouth disease is endemic in a significant number of countries in Africa, Asia and South America. European Community legislation prohibits the importation from such countries of live animals, fresh meat and raw milk but not plant or vegetable foodstuffs.
The statistical information sought on imports from third countries is appropriate to the Central Statistics Office which is under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.
Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 231.
