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Poultry Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004

Wednesday, 18 February 2004

Questions (61)

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

128 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the procedures he has introduced at airports and other ports of entry to protect the Irish poultry industry from the risk of avian flu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4922/04]

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Written answers

Detailed EU legislation lays down the conditions that member states must apply to the imports of products of animal origin from third countries. This harmonised legislation imposes a series of health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, member states.

All meat imports must come from third countries or areas of third countries approved for export to the EU. The meat must be sourced from establishments that are approved and must bear an EU approved health mark. If outbreaks of animal diseases occur in a third country the Commission, under safeguard measures, can suspend approval to export to the EU for the infected regions of the country, or the whole country, as appropriate, until the disease risk has been eliminated.

Meat may only be imported into the European Community through a border inspection post, BIP, that has been approved by the food and veterinary office of the EU. In Ireland the BIPs that are approved for administering checks on direct imports of meat from third countries are Dublin Port, frozen, chilled and ambient temperature animal products, and Shannon Airport, chilled and ambient only.

Importers of meat must be registered with my Department give advance notice of the arrival of meat to the BIP. Imported meat must be accompanied by the appropriate commercial documentation showing country and approval number of the establishment of production as well as a health certificate conforming to the models set down in EU legislation. The meat must also be labelled. All consignments undergo a documentary and identity check and physical checks are carried out at frequencies laid down in EU law. Once imported meat has met all the required conditions it is released for free circulation within the community. Copies of the BIP clearance document and the health certificate must accompany the consignment to its destination. Imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. If non-compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed.

The personal importation into the EU of any meat, including poultry meat, or milk products by passengers coming from third countries is prohibited under Community and national law. The transport operators who bring passengers from third countries into the EU are required under this legislation to bring the ban to the attention of passengers. Amnesty bins have been provided in the main airports for surrender of any animal product that has been inadvertently carried.

In addition to the measures dealing with imports, my Department is engaged in: collaboration with the Department of Health and Children and the National Disease Surveillance Centre, NDSC, on updating the influenza pandemic preparedness plan; establishing further contacts between those involved in human and animal influenzas; the training of veterinary staff on avian influenza and emergency slaughter — this was already scheduled prior to the outbreaks in Asia; the preparation of posters and newspaper advertisements for travellers going to and from Asia; and collaboration with the NDSC on advice for poultry workers in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Leaflets have been sent out to all poultry flock owners which advise on biosecurity measures and clinical signs of avian influenza to look out for. In addition to these measures, the following measures are already in place: a contingency plan in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza; guidelines for public health precautions to be taken during avian influenza investigations or controls; announcements on incoming flights and in the baggage reclaim area for people who have had contact with livestock, including meat or poultry, to make contact the Department's office in the arrivals hall; and ongoing surveillance of avian influenza in poultry and wild birds.

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