Vol. 558 No. 3
76 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there are imports of beef from the USA; if so, the way in which these are monitored; the quantity in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/02]
93 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of beef imported from the USA from 1997 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24197/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 93 together.
The Central Statistics Office is responsible for the collection of statistics on imports of beef. From trade data supplied by that body the following amounts of beef have been imported from the USA: 1997 – 28 tonnes; 1998 – one tonne; 1999 – none; 2000 – none; 2001 – 18 tonnes; 2002 – none.
Animal based products imported directly into Ireland from third countries such as the USA must be processed through one of the approved border inspection posts at Dublin and Cork ports or Shannon Airport. Products that have already been cleared through a border inspection post in another member state are considered to be in free circulation in the European Union. In 2001 the total amount of beef imported from the USA into the EU was 2,040 tonnes – (United States Department of Agriculture – trade exports).
Beef imported from a third country is subject to the checks required by harmonised rules laid down at European level and must be accompanied by veterinary health certification from the authorities in the country of export, regardless of point of entry on to the territory of the EU. In addition, animal products such as beef must have been produced in premises located in third countries that are approved by the European Commission and are subject to veterinary audits by the EU food and veterinary office.
Countries that export to the EU must submit their residue monitoring plans to the European Commission and satisfy the Community that their controls regarding prohibited substances and veterinary medicines generally are at least equivalent to those in member states of the EU. In some third countries so called "split production systems" exist whereby cattle reared for export to the EU come from herds which have not been given substances that have been banned in the EU. This is also the case in respect of animal products imported from such countries.
