Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

173 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the inspections carried out on imported poultry from countries outside the EU; if a guarantee can be given that bonemeal is not fed to these imports as this is banned here from the food chain; if a guarantee can also be given regarding poultry imports from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7775/02]

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

As a member of the European Union and the World Trade Organisation, Ireland is in a position to avail of overseas trade opportunities which are essential for the development of our small open economy. Membership of these organisations brings with it reciprocal trade obligations.

In recognition of the need for measures to minimise any risks that might be associated with trade with third countries in food products, strict rules governing the importation of animal products from non-EU countries have been put in place at EU level.

In particular, the country of origin and the establishment in which the product was produced must be approved in advance by the EU Commission. The granting of approvals is dependent on such factors as the animal health status of the country, adequacy of its veterinary structures, facilities of the production establishment and employment of good hygiene practices. Third country production plants are inspected by veterinary experts from the food and veterinary office of the European Commission.

On arrival in the EU, third country product is subject to official inspection at the first port of arrival. This includes checks on accompanying documents and on identity and labelling as well as random physical checks on the product itself. If these checks indicate that everything is in order importation is authorised and thereafter the product may circulate freely. It must be borne in mind that 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.

The scientific steering committee commission also assesses third countries for BSE risk and the commission attaches conditions to the import ation of meat from cattle and sheep depending on the risk. There is no scientific evidence of BSE in poultry. The question of feeding of meat and bone meal to poultry in third countries is not dealt with in any of the relevant commission decisions, although in so far as Northern Ireland is concerned, I understand that the feeding of meat and bone meal to all farmed animals, including poultry, has been banned since 1996.