Written Answers. - EU Imports.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
91
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
if meat or other food products on sale here and purporting to originate within the European Union have actually come from outside the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14172/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
106
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
if the sourcing of all food products, including meat and vegetables currently available on the Irish market and originating overseas, complies with the production, processing or preparation standards applicable here and throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14187/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
107
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
if no meat or meat products are being sold on the Irish market other than with adequate traceability and adherence to European production and hygiene standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14188/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
108
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
the countries which currently supply meat and meat products to Irish chain stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14189/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
109
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
the extent to which he had monitored the sourcing of meat and meat products in the various chain stores; if he is satisfied that Irish suppliers have had an equal chance to supply in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14190/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 106 to 109, inclusive, together.
Under the single market there is free circulation of goods within the EU, but there are uniform EU-wide controls on the production and trade in meat and meat products such as beef. Under Community law it is a requirement that the beef has been sourced from an approved establishment, whether that is a slaughterhouse, cutting plant or cold store. It must also be accompanied to its destination by a commercial document or health certificate that bears the identity of the establishment from which the beef has been despatched.
It should also be noted that under EU harmonised rules, imports into the European Union from third countries must have been sourced in premises and in countries which are approved by the European Commission and which are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks on import laid down in harmonised rules prescribed at European level, and must be accompanied by veterinary health certification from the authorities in the country of export.
Furthermore, consignments coming from third countries must be imported through an approved border inspection post upon first entry into the EU. An official health certificate conforming to model certificates set down in EU legislation must be presented. Goods failing to comply with the veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination and, if necessary, they may be destroyed. Once these products have met with all required conditions, they are released for free circulation within the European Community. I should emphasise that once goods are in free circulation within the Community normal market competition rules apply.
Statistics on the import of meat products are compiled by the Central Statistics Office. In 2002 imports of meat have been recorded as coming from the following countries:
EU CountriesAustria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
GB
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Northern Ireland
Non-EU CountriesAustralia
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
China
Czech Republic
Gabon
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Israel
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Lithuania
Namibia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Philippines
Poland
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
Uruguay
USA
The Community labelling requirements, which are compulsory in all member states, apply to the marketing of beef at retail level within the Community, regardless of whether that beef was produced within the Community or in a third country. Where beef is imported into the Community from a third country and not all the above details are available, that beef must, at a minimum, be labelled as, "Origin: non-EC", along with an indication of the third country in which slaughter took place.
In response to growing concern relating to food labelling including labelling of imported food, I established a group to examine the current labelling framework in the context of consumers' expectations and, in particular, to identify whatever gaps there are either in existing legislation or the manner in which it is implemented. This group reported to me in December and I have established an inter-agency committee to progress the recommendations contained within this report. The committee comprises of representatives of all Departments involved in food labelling, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Food Safety Promotion Board.
Vegetables are subject to common standards that apply throughout the EU to both domestic and imported product. In the case of imports of certain vegetables from third countries phytosanitary certificates are required so as to ensure compliance with plant health requirements. My Department carries out inspections regularly of both domestic and imported vegetables to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements.
