Written Answers. - Food Safety Standards.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:
35
Mr. Crawford
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
the number of tonnes of poultry meat which have been imported from both within the EU and from outside it on a country by country basis to date in 2002 and for each of the past five years; if he can guarantee that all those imports are produced to the same high standards as production here; if he can also guarantee that they contain no additives; if not, the steps he is taking to guarantee consumer safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13956/02]
Ireland imports an extensive range of poultry meat from other member states and from third countries. The compilation of statistics in relation to such imports is in the first instance a matter for the Central Statistics Office. I have arranged for the relevant information to be sent to the Deputy.
Poultry meat produced in a European Union country may be traded freely between EU countries provided it has been produced in a manner that complies with the relevant health and marketing rules. Common rules apply throughout the EU and these include the requirement that product be produced in an approved establishment, the hygiene standards to be observed, labelling specifications etc. Where an additive has been included in a product this must be declared on the retail label. There is no prohibition on the inclusion of additives in a product provided that the additive is not a banned substance and does not pose a risk to animal and public health.
Imports from third countries, that is non-EU countries, are subject to strict rules governing the importation of such products as established under EU harmonised legislation. In particular, the country of origin and the establishment in which the poultry meat was produced must be approved in advance by the EU Commission. The granting of approvals is dependent on such factors as the poultry health status of the country, adequacy of its veterinary structures, facilities of the production establishment and employment of good hygiene practices. Third country production plants are inspected by veterinary experts from EU countries before approval is given.
On arrival in the EU, third country poultry meat is subject to official inspection at the first port of arrival. This includes checks on accompanying documents and on identity and labelling as well as random physical checks on the product itself. If these checks indicate that everything is in order importation is authorised and thereafter the poultry meat may circulate freely within the EU.
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health of the European Commission constantly monitors events in member states and third countries which are likely to have implications for public health.
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 the standing 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.
In light of the serious animal disease outbreaks in the UK and the misleading labelling of imported frozen poultry fillets – it is clear that there is a need to re-examine these controls, and that the European Commission needs to re-focus its attention to some extent, on the potential threat to animal and human health from third country imports.
I have made my views on this issue clear to my European colleagues and that I will continue to press for a review of the controls in this area as a matter of priority.
