Vol. 542 No. 5
243 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that all meat and meat products, including pet foods imported into this country, are sourced from disease free locations with particular reference to animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, BSE or similar diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25293/01]
Products of animal origin imported from other member states and from third countries must comply with certain standards of production as provided for under EU legislation in order to protect animal and public health. Before any such trading is permitted consideration is given by the Commission to a number of factors which are: the health status of the livestock, both domestic and wild, especially in regard to exotic diseases; the swiftness of the country to report the existence of infectious diseases; the country's preventative controls for animal diseases; the structure of the veterinary service and laboratory service; and the country's control measures on prohibited substances.
In relation to countries with particular incidences of animal diseases, such as BSE and foot and mouth disease, additional measures are taken by requiring specific veterinary certification in relation to the product with regard to its production and processing procedures. These measures are under constant review to ensure the continued protection of animal and public health.
