Written Answers - Agricultural Imports.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
153
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the extent to which he proposes to put in place measures to guard against the importation of meat, meat products or other matter likely to pose a threat to the food chain having particular regard to the experience of the recent causes of the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14315/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
155
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
if a procedure has been determined that will sufficiently guard against outbreaks of disease arising from importation of meat or other food products with particular reference to protecting the integrity of the food chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14317/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 155 together.
Under EU legislation, third countries wishing to export animal products to the EU must satisfy the European Commission that their legislative frameworks and control regimes offer equivalent guarantees to those in place in the EU. In particular, third countries must furnish to the Commission on an annual basis detailed residue monitoring plans, together with results of testing under such programmes. The Commission also carries out inspection missions in third countries to verify implementation of control measures. Where the Commission is not satisfied with the regime in place in a third country, its authorisation to export to the EU may be withdrawn.
As regards imports into Ireland, it must be borne in mind, however, that in the case of imports from other member states, particular imports cannot be specifically targeted for monitoring as Ireland, being a member of the European Union, is obliged under EU legislation to allow the free circulation of legally imported goods within the EU. At the points of entry into Ireland officials of my Department spot check consignments of goods being imported from other member states and from third countries to ensure compliance with the necessary legislation. Goods which are not in compliance with the veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination and, if necessary, destroyed.
In the light of recent outbreaks of diseases in the Community, I have already raised the issue of the appropriate standards for imports from third countries and their enforcement at recent meetings of the Council of Agriculture Ministers. I will continue to pursue this matter.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
154
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the number of countries from whence meat and other food products are imported; if he is satisfied as to the adequacy of the production and processing chain in terms of animal health; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14316/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
156
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the countries from whence Ireland currently imports either directly or indirectly, meat or other food products; if he can give an assurance that the highest possible standards in terms of husbandry and production prevail in these countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14318/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 156 together.
Ireland imports an extensive range of agricultural goods and food products, including beverages, from other member states and from approximately 134 third countries. This import trend and Ireland's export performance reflect the ever increasing globalisation of the food sector. In recognition of this development and the need to standardise public health safeguards with regard to food production, the European Commission has in place a legislative framework and control regime in respect of agricultural food production.
The main conditions for imports into Ireland are advance notification to my Department of consignments; the goods must be accompanied by veterinary certification or, in certain cases, a commercial document; the goods must come from an approved establishment, for example, slaughterhouse, cutting plant or cold store which has been approved by the EU Commission; and the goods may be subject to inspection by officials of my Department. Imports of meat products are selected for sampling on a regular basis to monitor the health status of the product.
However, it must be borne in mind that, in the case of imports from other member states, particular imports cannot be specifically targeted for monitoring as Ireland, being a member of the European Union, is obliged under EU legislation to allow the free circulation of legally imported goods within the EU. Goods detected as not being in compliance with the veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination and, if necessary, destroyed.
In the light of recent outbreaks of diseases in the Community, I have already raised the issue of the appropriate standards for imports from third countries and their enforcement at recent meetings of the Council of Agriculture Ministers. I will continue to pursue this matter.
Question No. 155 answered with Question No. 153.
Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 154.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
157
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
if, in the case of all imported meat and food products, he is satisfied that such products are entirely free from growth promoters or antibiotic residues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14319/01]
Common legislation is in place at EU level which regulates the area of growth promoters and antibiotics. Accordingly, animal products imported here from countries within the EU have been subject to the aforementioned legislation which, in broad terms, provides that while hormonal growth promoters are entirely banned, use of four specific antibiotics for growth promotion purposes is allowed. In addition, all member states are required to have approved residue surveillance plans in place to detect the presence of any banned substances or the presence above legal limits, that is, maximum residue limits, of authorised products.
Third countries wishing to export products to the EU are required to satisfy the European Commission that they have measures in place to provide equivalent guarantees to those provided for under EU residues legislation. Third countries are also subjected to missions by inspectors from the Commission's food and veterinary office for the purpose of verifying implementation of their control measures.
In the context of concerns about antibiotic resistance, my Department, in the latter part of 1999 and in conjunction with the FSAI, commenced a major programme of testing of poultry meat which includes testing of imported poultry meat both for the presence of antibiotics and for the incidence of antibiotic resistant camplobacter and salmonella. Of 330 samples of imported poultry meat taken in 1999 under this programme, none tested positive for antibiotic residues. Results in respect of 2000 will be available shortly.
