asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the present position regarding the EEC regulations prohibiting the sale of uneviscerated turkeys and chickens after a certain date; the representations that have been made to the EEC in this regard; and the response to these representations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Turkey and Chicken Regulations.
58.
Negotiations are still in progress at which this country and the UK are pressing for amendment of the EEC poultry health directive prohibiting the sale of uneviscerated turkeys and chickens to enable us to continue trade in this form after February, 1976, when the directive comes into effect on the home market. I cannot yet say when a decision will be made on this matter but I am hopeful that it will be made within the next few months.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree with me that there is evidence that fowl are being imported from Northern Ireland that may be of foreign origin?
There is always the possibility that fowl will be imported from Northern Ireland.
In view of the fact that there has been fowl pest apparent in Northern Ireland would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider that we should intensify our restrictions on importations from that part of the country?
Importation of commodities from EEC countries is governed by regulations and there are times when we cannot preclude the importation of particular commodities.