Vol. 556 No. 5
89 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of beef imported from non-EU countries for 2001 and from January 2002 to 30 September 2002; if there are controls and traceability measures in place in source countries to monitor beef imported from those countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/02]
The Central Statistics Office is responsible for the collection of statistics in relation to imports of beef and other animal based products. Its statistics indicate that in 2001, a total of 8,385 tonnes of beef were imported from third coun tries and that between 1 January 2002 and 31 July, 2002, the latest date for which statistics are available, the equivalent figure was 2,922 tonnes.
Under EU harmonised rules, beef imports into the European Union from third countries must have been produced in premises and in countries which are approved by the European Commission and which are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's food and veterinary office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks laid down in harmonised rules prescribed at European level, and must be accompanied by veterinary health certification from the authorities in the country of export, regardless of the point of entry into the EU.
Animal-based products imported directly into Ireland from third countries must be processed through one of the approved border inspection posts at Dublin and Cork Ports, or at Dublin and Shannon Airports.
On the question of labelling and traceability, operators marketing beef in the EU are required to label their beef with a reference number or code identifying the animal or group of animals from which the beef was derived, the name of the third country and the approval number of the slaughterhouse at which the animal or group of animals was slaughtered, the name of the third country and the approval number of the cutting hall at which the carcass or group of carcasses was cut, and the name of the third country where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered.
In response to growing concern relating to food labelling, I have established a group to examine the current labelling framework in the context of consumers' expectations and, in particular, to identify whatever gaps there are either in existing legislation or the manner in which it is implemented. I expect this group to report in the near future.
Finally, it will be appreciated that Ireland's beef sector benefits substantially from the trade opportunities which result from our membership of the European Union and the World Trade Organisation. For example, exports of Irish beef in 2001 were valued in excess of €780 million. Reciprocal trade is an inevitable consequence of our membership of these organisations, and subject to the application of EU law in relation to veterinary health and other matters, has to be facilitated.
However, the rules that are in place within the framework of EU legislation are designed to ensure that neither human and animal health are compromised. I have on numerous occasions requested the Commission to ensure that the rules in place continue to provide such assurance.
