Bernard J. Durkan
Question:97 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if bonemeal or such products are imported at present; the source and sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/03]
Written Answers. - Animal Foodstuffs.
Importation of meat and bone meal or such products for any purpose to do with the farm animal and human food chain is prohibited.
Under Community rules the importation of such products which have already been incorporated within petfoods and which are destined for meat-eating animals is provided for subject to certain conditions. While the main source of imports of petfoods is from other member states of the European Union it is also imported under licence from Hungary, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Poland and USA.
Importers of petfoods are required to register with my Department and give at least 25 hours notice of intention to import. In the case of petfood originating from an EU source it must come from an approved establishment and be accompanied to its destination with a commercial document or a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian on the competent authority of the member state of origin. In the case of importation from third countries it can only be imported under licence. In such cases it must originate in an approved country for trade in such products, have been produced in an approved establishment and be accompanied by a health certificate in accordance the provisions of Community legislation.