Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Beef Imports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

177 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the degree to which beef or beef products from other EU and-or non-EU countries are imported into Ireland; if such imports represent any threat in regard to BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28645/00]

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

The statistics on total beef imports in recent years are:

Year	Tonnes
1995	39,062
1996	12,925
1997	13,902
1998	12,037
1999	7,638

Products of animal origin may be imported from third countries and from other member states in accordance with EU harmonised rules. The controls 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. Such imports are allowed only from establishments which have been approved by the European Commission. These harmonised rules are designed to ensure that products are imported from member states and third countries which are in a position to provide the guarantees which are necessary to protect animal and public health in the European Union. The standing veterinary committee of the European Commission, in which experts from my Department participate, constantly monitors events in member states and third countries which are likely to have implications for public health.

At the Council of Agriculture Ministers this week the Council noted the Commission's intention to propose all measures necessary to guarantee that products imported from third countries display an equivalent level of health quality in respect of BSE.