Enda Kenny
Question:10 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of EU beef imported in 2002 and, to date, in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13928/03]
Other Questions. - Beef Imports.
The Central Statistics Office is responsible for the collection of statistics in respect of imports of meat and meat preparations. The information is compiled on a quarterly basis and supplied to my Department at the end of the following quarter. On the basis of this information, I am in a position to supply to the House statistics, by country, on the quantities of beef imported for the year 2002. For 2003 I have included information for the month of January.
While no figure is available for beef imports to Austria for January 2003, it imported 82 tonnes of beef in 2002. Belgium imported 218 tonnes in 2002 and 51 tonnes in January 2003, Germany imported 1,125 tonnes in 2002 and 110 tonnes in January 2003, Denmark imported 248 tonnes in 2002 and two tonnes in January this year, Spain imported four tonnes of beef in 2002 and 19 tonnes in January 2003, France imported 851 tonnes in 2002 and 30 tonnes in January 2003 and Great Britain imported 3,629 tonnes in 2002 and 256 tonnes in January 2003. While no figure is available for beef imports to Greece in 2002, some 12 tonnes were imported in January this year. Ireland imported 110 tonnes of beef last year, no figures are yet available for January of this year. Italy imported 125 tonnes in 2002 and 24 tonnes in January 2003. The figure for 2002 is not available in the case of Luxembourg which imported one tonne of beef in January this year. The Netherlands imported 942 tonnes in 2002 and 78 tonnes in January 2003. No figures are available for Portugal. While no figure is available for imports to Sweden in January, it imported 29 tonnes of beef in 2002. Northern Ireland imported 1,491 tonnes in 2002 and 31 tonnes in January 2003.
It should be noted that in certain cases the record of import may include the re-importation of Irish products that were originally the subject of export from this country. The information available for imports from the other member states does not differentiate between imports originating in the European Union and those originating from third countries which may already be in free circulation within the Union.
Under the Single Market, there is free circulation of goods within the European Union, but uniform EU-wide controls apply to the production and trade in meat and meat products such as beef. Under EU law, it is a requirement that beef is sourced from an approved establishment, whether a slaughterhouse, cutting plant or cold store. It must also be accompanied to its destination by a commercial document or health certificate which bears the identity of the establishment from which the beef has been despatched.
Additional information.On a more general point, it should be noted that, under European Union harmonised rules, imports into the EU from third countries must have been sourced in premises and countries approved by the European Commission and are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's food and veterinary office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks on imports 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.
The Union labelling requirements, which are compulsory in all member states, apply to the marketing of beef at retail level within the Union regardless of whether the beef in question was produced within the Union or in a third country. Where beef is imported from a third country and not all the details I have outlined are available, it must, at a minimum, be labelled as "Origin: non-EC" and the third country in which slaughter took place indicated.
It appears that there may have been a slip of the pen during the drafting of the question because the information sought probably related to non-EU beef imports. Perhaps I misinterpreted the Minister of State's reply. Did he state that it is possible that imports from other European Union countries may contain beef from non-EU countries? Will he indicate who are the importers of beef here?
While attending a meeting in the Minister's neck of the woods, I was berated from the floor on the issue of imports of non-EU beef. I later tabled a parliamentary question and was surprised to discover that 500 or 600 companies and individuals are licensed to import beef. I assume the entities in question would not be licensed unless they were involved in importing beef. Are they co-operatives, meat companies or individuals and companies within the catering industry?
Most of the companies in question are licensed to import and export. However, this does not mean that they all import beef because some of them may export only. The importers include processors and food producers manufacturing various types of food product. The figures I provided cover meat and meat preparations, such as meat mixes and various types of meat which may be pure or a component of the end product. These figures relate to imports by country, rather than imports to Ireland from other countries. A number of companies have no option other than to import certain foods or food preparations from foreign countries in order to complete their products or ensure they are edible, taste properly and are ready for the marketplace. That is the basis on which much of the importation takes place.
The position regarding pure meat is governed by World Trade Organisation rules, which allow a number of dedicated companies which must be registered with the European Union and the WTO to import products into this country.
I presume meat preparations contain non-meat additives or components. Does the same level of traceability apply to these components as to meat components of products?
Yes, certain preparations contain additives and these are subject to the same rules as other ingredients with regard to origin, dispatch, registration, identification and traceability.
Will the Minister of State provide us with a list of the companies which import beef?
I am not sure whether the Deputy's request will be possible, but I will pursue the matter.