Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 2

Written Answers. - Meat Imports.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

122 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that all meat and meat products imported, either directly or via other EU states, comply with sufficiently high health, hygiene and husbandry standards to ensure against threats to the Irish consumer or the meat industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26129/02]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The importation of animal food products into the State is governed by a framework of legislation which has been devised at both national and EU level. Control measures set down by the European Commission are implemented in all member states; thus a uniform set of requirements must be met by all imports into the EU.

All animal product imports must come from EU approved establishments and countries and bear an EU health mark except in certain instances when a product may be imported under licence. Inspections and reports carried out by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office are designed to ensure that only establishments that meet hygiene and health standards equivalent to those operating within the EU will be approved. In cases where the Food and Veterinary Office is not satisfied that public health requirements are being met, countries and premises may be removed from the EU approved list by Commission decision.

Furthermore, consignments coming from third countries must be imported through an approved border inspection post upon first entry into the EU. An official health certificate conforming to model certificates set down in EU legislation must be presented. Goods failing to comply with the veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination and if necessary they may be destroyed. Once these products have met with all required conditions, they are released for free circulation within the European Community.

In response to growing concern relating to food labelling including labelling of imported food, I 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. The group has now reported and has made a series of recommendations and I will be making a response early in the new year.