Vol. 536 No. 3
73 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will confirm that no consignments of raw meat have been imported from the UK since 21 February 2001; the controls in place to ensure the integrity of the monitoring system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14072/01]
Commission Decision 2001/145/EC of 21 February 2001 prohibited the exportation of raw and untreated meat from the United Kingdom. My Department, in association with other relevant Departments and agencies, immediately introduced arrangements at ports, airports, Border crossings, etc. to prevent the importation of these and other products. In addition, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland at the request of my Department issued a notice to retailers requesting them to withdraw from their shelves all raw and untreated meat imported from 1 February 2001. I am not aware of any illegal imports of raw meat since 21 February last.
