Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 4

Written Answers. - Imported Foods.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

51 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if ruminant intestines are part of any imported foods; the tests applied to imported foods; and the countries from which these products are imported. [13865/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I presume the Deputy is referring to animal casings when he refers to ruminant intestines. In this regard, imports of animal casings as an agricultural product have taken place for further processing, primarily for the export markets. Imported processed food products may also contain animal casings. Imported animal casings have come from Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Norway, Syria and Turkey.

The controls in this area operated by my Department are based on EU harmonised rules governing the veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable to intra-Community and third country trade in live animals and animal products. These rules require a range of checks to be carried out and also provide for the imposition of restrictions on, or the banning of, trade in particular animal products when this is considered necessary for the protection of public health. Last year's dioxin scare is a case in point, where trade in a wide range of animal products from Belgium, including those containing animal casings, was banned.

The Standing Veterinary Committee of the European Commission, in which experts from my Department participate, constantly monitors events, such as disease outbreaks, in member states and third countries which are likely to have implications for public health. No restrictions on trade have been imposed in relation to animal casings.

At present EU harmonised rules require: advance notification to my Department of animal product imports; that the goods must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate or, in certain cases, a commercial document; that the goods must come from an approved establishment, for example, a slaughterhouse, cutting plant or cold store which has been approved by the EU Commission; and that the goods may be subject to inspection by officials of my Department.

Imported agricultural products are sampled and analysed on a regular basis to ensure that they do not constitute a danger to public health. Third countries' imports are subject to a docu mentary, identity and physical check while goods coming from other member states are subject to random checks. Goods which are not in compliance with the veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination and, if necessary, destroyed.

The framework of veterinary checks provided for by harmonised EU rules, the implementation of those rules by my Department and the veterinary services of other member states, together with the constant programme of monitoring and review of public health risks provided for under the aegis of Standing Veterinary Committee, are intended to provide assurance that imported animal products are fit for human consumption while allowing member states to fulfil their trade obligations as members of the European Union and the World Trade Organisation.