James Leonard
Ceist:33 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether different health standards apply for imported poultry meat and for home-produced meat. [20110/96]
Written Answers. - Poultry Meat Standards.
The answer is no. The legislative position is set out in Council Directive 92/116/EEC of 17 December 1992 amending and updating Directive 71/118 on health problems affecting the production and placing on the market of fresh poultry meat. In a series of annexes to that directive are set out inter alia, the general and special conditions for the approval of premises for the slaughter and handling of poultry meat, for its packaging, storage and transport and for accompanying documentation. This legislative position is applicable throughout the European Union.
The total ban on imports to Ireland from outside the European Union is due to be lifted shortly in the context of European Commission decisions finalising the list of countries and premises from which imports will be permitted with the animal and public health certificates which must accompany such imports.