Vol. 556 No. 5
58 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new restrictions introduced by his Department recently on the importation of animal food products from EU and non-EU countries intended for personal and commercial use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20817/02]
The implications for Ireland's animal health status of unregulated imports of animal based products, including those in personal baggage, was highlighted during the foot and mouth disease crisis. Indeed, both the foot and mouth outbreak in Britain in 2001, and the classical swine fever outbreak which preceded it in late 2000, may have been associated with the feeding of illegally imported food products to pigs.
Against this background, in July 2002 I introduced the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966 (Control on Animal Products) Order, 2002 (S.I. No. 390 of 2002). In relation to personal baggage allowances from EU member states, the order imposes a maximum weight limit of ten kg and a number of specific requirements regarding origin of the product. In the case of personal baggage from third countries, allowances are limited to a maximum of one kg of powdered infant milk, infant food or special food required for medical reasons, provided such products are shelf-stable proprietary brands in unbroken packages, honey and other edible bee products, snails, frogs legs and fish or fishery products, provided they come from EU approved establishments.
