Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
152 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of testing and controls applied to poultry meat imported from non-EU countries; if he has satisfied himself that these tests are sufficient to ensure the quality of imported poultry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4920/04]
View answerDetailed 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. To be an approved country, it must appear on a list drawn up and updated on the basis of EU audits and guarantees given by the competent authority of the exporting country; have veterinary controls equivalent to those applicable in the EU, particularly in terms of legislation, hygiene conditions, animal health status, veterinary medicines controls, zoonoses controls and other food law; and a residues programme approved by the European Commission must be in place.
The meat must be sourced from establishments that are approved and must bear an EU approved health mark. Exporting establishments must have standards equivalent to the requirements for EU export establishments; effective control systems and supervision by the competent authorities; and traceability labelling in accordance with the systems approved by the FVO and accepted and notified to the EU member states.
The food and veterinary Office, FVO, of the EU carries out inspections to ensure that only establishments that meet hygiene and health standards equivalent to those operating within the EU are approved. Where the FVO considers that public health requirements are not being met, an establishment may be removed from the EU approved list. If outbreaks of animal diseases occur in a third country approval to export to the EU is suspended 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 BIP that has been approved by the FVO. That office also carries out monitoring and inspection of member states' BIPs to ensure that the conditions for import of animal products into Europe, provided under harmonised EU legislation, are being correctly applied. In Ireland, border inspection posts 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. Importers must 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.
Where there are concerns with regard to the effectiveness of controls being operated in an approved third country, the Commission, in consultation with the standing committee on animal health and the food chain, may introduce specific controls by means of a safeguard measure to ensure the protection of human and animal health. In 2002, the presence of nitrofuran, a growth promoting substance, had been detected in poultry meat imported from Brazil and this presented a potential risk for human health. Accordingly, in October 2002, following a decision of European Commission's standing committee on the food chain and animal health, I introduced the requirement for the sampling and testing of all direct imports into Ireland of poultry meat and poultry meat products from Brazil. Consignments may only be released when test results are clear.
The FVO has assessed that the action plan put in by the Brazilian authorities to address the deficiencies is being implemented and enforced. The results of the checks carried out by the member states on direct imports have also shown improvement. No poultry meat from Brazil has tested positive for nitrofurans at any BIP in the EU since August 2003.
With regard to the discovery of avian influenza in certain countries of south east Asia, including Thailand, the response is being co-ordinated and operated by the EU Commission. In line with decisions of the European Commission, I introduced a number of measures specifically aimed at banning importation from that country of fresh poultry meat, meat preparations and meat products consisting of or containing poultry meat, raw materials for pet food containing any part of poultry obtained from birds slaughtered after 31 December 2003 as well as eggs for human consumption.
The Commission subsequently extended this ban to cover the import of such products from China, including the territory of Hong Kong, as well as raw materials for pet food containing any part of poultry, eggs for human consumption and non-treated game trophies from South Korea. A ban on the importation of live birds as well as unprocessed feathers from a number of countries in south east Asia has also been introduced. These controls must be kept in place until 15 August 2004. Before that date, the FVO will have reviewed the operation of these measures and the evolution of the disease and will submit its report. At that time an assessment will be made as to the appropriate controls to be applied.
It should also be noted that the personal importation into the EU of any meat, including poultry meat, or milk products by passengers 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 this ban to the attention of passengers.
153 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he intends to lift the ban on 100% testing of chicken portions from Brazil for nitrofuran; if he intends introducing tighter controls to all meat and poultry imports from non-EU countries given the recent scare arising from avian flu in Thailand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4925/04]
View answerIn 2002, the presence of nitrofuran, a growth promoting substance, was detected in poultry meat imported from Brazil and this presented a potential risk for human health. The food and veterinary office, FVO, of the European Commission assessed the controls that were in place in that country and, taking into account assurances given by the competent authorities to strengthening these controls, recommended that as a safeguard measure all imports into the EU be sampled and tested. The position was to be reviewed in the light of the operation of these guarantees and on the results of testing of direct imports. Accordingly, in October 2002, I introduced the requirement for the sampling and testing of all direct imports into Ireland of poultry meat and poultry meat products from Brazil. Consignments may only be released when test results are clear.
The FVO has assessed that the action plan put in by the Brazilian authorities to address the deficiencies is being implemented and enforced. The results of the checks carried out by the member states on direct imports have also shown improvement. No poultry meat from Brazil has tested positive for nitrofurans at any BIP in the EU since August 2003. With regard to this country nitrofurans have not been detected in any samples taken from direct imports. In the circumstances, the standing committee has recommended to the Commission that the level of testing for nitrofurans be reduced to 20%. When the Commission publishes its decision, I will amend the current level of controls applied in this country accordingly.
The position in regard to exports from third countries is that detailed EU legislation in the veterinary field 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.
Under that harmonised legislation, all products of animal origin imported into the EU must come from approved countries, approved establishments in those countries, travel with a health certificate and commercial document, be appropriately labelled and be presented for a veterinary check at an EU approved border inspection post.
With regard to the discovery of avian influenza in certain countries of south east Asia, including Thailand, the EU response is being co-ordinated and operated by the EU Commission. In line with decisions of the European Commission, I introduced a number of measures specifically aimed at banning importation from that country of fresh poultry meat, meat preparations and meat products consisting of or containing poultry meat, raw materials for pet food containing any part of poultry obtained from birds slaughtered after 31 December 2003 as well as eggs for human consumption. The decision does not apply to poultry meat products that have been heat treated.
The Commission subsequently extended this ban to cover the import of such products from China, including the territory of Hong Kong, as well as raw materials for pet food containing any part of poultry, eggs for human consumption and non-treated game trophies from South Korea. A ban on the importation of live birds and as well as unprocessed feathers from a number of countries in south east Asia has also been introduced. These controls must be kept in place until 15 August 2004. Before that date, the FVO will review the operation of these measures and the evolution of the disease and will submit its report to the Commission and the standing committee on animal health and the food chain. At that time an assessment will be made as to the appropriate controls that must be applied.
As can be seen from the above, the EU Commission is closely monitoring the avian influenza situation and is taking the necessary action. In the circumstances, there is no need to introduce tighter controls on imports from other third countries.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, discussed the matter of avian influenza and issues regarding mutual co-operation in Europe to combat this disease with the European Health Ministers in Brussels on 12 February. Ministers also agreed on the need for the provision of balanced information to the public and press to avoid undue alarm while maintaining a strong position of alertness. It was also agreed that Health Ministers across Europe would continue to co-ordinate their responses to this public health challenge.
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; and ongoing surveillance of avian influenza in poultry and wild birds.
I have recently introduced two statutory instruments concerning the labelling of poultry meat. The first of these regulations requires poultry meat, loose and pre-packaged, originating in a country outside the EU to bear an indication of the country of origin when offered for sale in a retail premises. The second requires information regarding class, price per unit weight, condition and slaughterhouse details in respect of loose poultry meat, that is, non pre-packaged, to be provided to the consumer. Heretofore, while labelling indications have been compulsory for pre-packaged poultry meat, it had not been a requirement to provide this information for loose poultry meat.
