Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
370. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a detailed explanation regarding the significant quantities of beef imported into Ireland from the UK, as highlighted by recent figures published by the Central Statistics Office; the justification for this substantial influx; the intended markets for this imported beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31886/23]
View answer371. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the challenges faced by Irish beef farmers, including pressure on prices and increased input costs, how he justifies the importation of large quantities of UK beef; if these imports truly originate from the UK; if not, if they are sourced from other locations but pass through UK processing facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31887/23]
View answer372. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he has put in place to ensure that the importation of beef does not compromise Ireland's renowned world-class traceability standards; if he can provide reassurances regarding the transparency and sustainability of Ireland's local beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31888/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 370, 371 and 372 together.
I propose to take PQs 370, 371 and 372 together.
Ireland is among the largest exporters of beef in the Northern hemisphere.The volume of Irish exports in 2022 amounted to 492,000 tonnes of beef valued at more than €2.5 billion. Exports of beef to the UK alone were valued at approximately €1.1 billion. This compares to 37,000 tonnes of imports to Ireland in that period.
The Irish beef sector is therefore critically dependent on international trade, and therefore on the rules based order under WTO rules, EU Single Market rules, and the Trade and Co-operation Agreement agreed between the EU and UK post Brexit. Ireland Ireland cannot unilaterally depart from the rules that govern international trade, but if it did, the impact of reciprocal action from our trading partners could be absolutely catastrophic for our export dependent agri food sector.
Any meat imported from third countries including Great Britain is subject to certification requirements and the import control system operated by my Department at border control posts. The traceability standards of Irish beef are strictly enforced through our regulatory system.
Under EU law, there is specific country of origin labelling which forms part of the broader labelling legislation. A total of 160 meat premises are approved by my Department and it has a permanent veterinary presence at the 49 premises which slaughter animals and carries out risk-based audits, inspections, and official controls at the remaining approved meat premises.
My Department is responsible for ensuring that approved meat plants operate in compliance with harmonised EU rules. Approximately 250 veterinary and technical staff are routinely involved in supervising, regulating and controlling these standards at DAFM-approved meat plants.
These standards include the correct labelling of products and my officials based in these plants carry out constant monitoring through audit and inspection of labelling and traceability requirements. Labelling and traceability non-compliances can be considered fraudulent activities. There is a process in place for reporting any identified non-compliances and a range of sanctions can be applied including withdrawal of approval and prosecution of the food business if fraud is detected.
