Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 2

Written Answers. - Meat Imports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

120 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the various locations worldwide from whence meat or meat products have been imported directly or indirectly in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26127/02]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The Central Statistics Office is responsible for the collection of statistics in relation to imports of meat and meat preparations. From data supplied by that body, imports into Ireland since 1 January 2001 to 31 August 2002 have been recorded as originating in the following countries:

Argentina	Ivory Coast
Australia	Japan
Bahrain	Lithuania
Bosnia & Herzegovina	Namibia
Brazil	New Zealand
Chile	Nicaragua
China	Norway
Czech Republic	Philippines
Egypt	Poland
Gabon	Saudi Arabia
Gambia	Slovenia
Hungary	South Africa
Hong Kong	Thailand
Indonesia	Togo
Iceland	Turkey
Iran	USA
Israel

In certain cases the record of import may be the reimport of Irish products that were originally the subject of an export from this country. The information available for imports from other member states of the European Union into Ireland does not identify country of origin where the imported products have already been in free circulation within the Community.

Under EU harmonised rules, 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.