Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
2 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the proposal by the EU to offer access for an extra 50,000 tonnes of Hilton beef cuts and a further 50,000 tonnes at the successful conclusion of the WTO talks; his further views on the impact this decision will have on the beef industry here and on whether the quality assurance on the imported beef is the same as that produced locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14884/04]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to high quality beef imports in the context of the proposed Mercosur agreement. I have expressed my concern to Commissioner Fischler about the direction of the Mercosur negotiations and particularly the extent of the Commission's apparent willingness to negotiate an enhanced level of access to the Community market for beef from these countries. It is my view that to concede increased import access to non-EU beef at this time will put Irish and EU suppliers at a disadvantage and will limit the ability of the domestic beef sector to take advantage of the recent CAP reform. One of the important considerations from the Luxembourg agreement was that there would be a reduction in EU production, which would in turn lead to increased returns for those who continue to produce. I am concerned about the handing over of these benefits to non-EU suppliers at this stage in the WTO negotiations. A substantial Hilton quota is already available to the Mercosur countries, amounting to 40,300 tonnes per year at preferential import duty rates. In addition, there are additional significant commercial imports at full duty rates into the EU from these countries. These are possible because of their scale of production in the countries in question and the considerable exchange rate advantage they are experiencing. The import into the EU of high value cuts is of particular concern in that the ability of Irish beef exporters to maximise returns from the marketplace is dependent on maintaining returns from medium and high value cuts. Their efforts are being undermined by the ability of third countries to target their commercial exports, paying full import duties, at the higher end of the EU market while disposing of the lower value part of the carcase on their domestic market or to the global manufacturing trade. By exporting high quality cuts only, as compared to all cuts from the carcase in their natural proportion, third country suppliers are maximising the benefit of their limited volume access to EU markets by securing high value outlets for these high value cuts. A further increase in the Hilton quota to Mercosur would exacerbate this problem. The Commission services have indicated that they are determined that the EU should not pay twice in these negotiations and that any offer is conditional on reciprocation from the Mercosur countries.
Additional Information.
With regard to quality assurance, beef imports into the European Union from third countries must have been sourced in countries and in premises which are currently listed and approved by the European Commission and subject to veterinary audits by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks laid down in the harmonised rules prescribed at European level and must be accompanied by the prescribed veterinary health certification from the competent authorities in the country of export.
The Community beef labelling requirements, which are compulsory in all member states, apply to beef sold 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 it must, at a minimum, be labelled as "Origin: Non-EC" with an indication of the third country in which slaughter took place.
I thank the Minister for his extensive answer and for expressing concern at the impact any such agreement will have on the Irish beef industry. Does he agree the beef industry has had a hard time in the recent past and the last thing beef producers need is the introduction of further competition where that is done domestically or at European level? Is he confident quality assurance in this area is adequate and comparable with that expected in other European countries and with the rigorous quality assurance standards insisted upon in Ireland?
With regard to quality, beef imports into the EU from third countries must be sourced in countries and premises currently listed and 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 laid down in the harmonised rules prescribed at European level and must be accompanied by the prescribed veterinary health certification by the competent authorities in the countries of export.
Beef labelling requirements, which are compulsory in all member states, apply to beef sold at retail level within the Community, regardless of whether the beef was produced within the Community or in third countries. Where beef, for example, is imported into the Community from a third country, it must, at a minimum, be labelled as "Origin Non-EC", along with an indication of the third country in which the slaughter took place.
Labelling is pertinent in regard to this issue. However, labelling a product as non-EU is inadequate because of concerns about issuing labels that specifically state the country of origin. That is the direction in which the consumer wishes to go. Is the Minister confident that testing procedures in Ireland, where spot checks presumably are done, are adequate to ensure beef of a lesser quality is not imported, particularly beef that contains residues?
The efficacy of the testing procedures is constantly improved and enhanced and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is the competent authority in terms of enforcement. Its chief executive appeared before an Oireachtas committee yesterday and commented on this issue. Procedures are tightening all the time and consumers must be protected from adulteration and toxic residues. The competent authorities in Ireland and the EU food and veterinary office maintain confidence. Their primary objective is the protection of the consumer and they do precisely that.
