Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Beef Quality Assurance Scheme.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

237 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the decision by the British Government to allow beef from animals over 30 months old back into the food chain; the impact this decision has for Irish consumers; the impact it has for the Irish beef trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25534/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The ban in the UK on the consumption of beef from cattle over 30 months of age – the OTM scheme – is primarily a national measure in that country. In this regard, earlier this year the UK Food Standards Agency, FS, in conjunction with a joint SEAC-FSA risk assessment group, and a core stakeholder group, reviewed the OTM scheme. In July 2003 the FSA agreed to recommend to UK Ministers that it would be acceptable on public health grounds to replace, in two stages, the over 30 months scheme with BSE testing of cattle older than 30 months. The recommendation was that cattle born after August 1996 could be allowed into the food chain, after being tested for BSE, at the earliest from January, 2004, with the possibility of a complete replacement of the rule from July, 2005.

However, the FSA also indicated that Ministers should not change the over 30 months rule until they were satisfied that all of the necessary operational and other preparations had been made by the relevant Government parties, industry and other agencies. I understand at this stage that the earliest date likely for a change in the over 30 months scheme is June 2004.

With an EU beef market in deficit at present, healthy third country exports and intervention beef having been removed from stores, I expect that markets for Irish beef will be sufficiently robust to withstand the pressure of additional UK over 30 month beef coming on the market in 2004.

The Deputy also enquires about the impact of this decision on Irish consumers. I assume that he is referring, in this context, to the quite separate issue of the removal of the current EU ban on the export of beef from the UK. The position in relation to this aspect is that on the basis of dramatically reduced numbers of BSE cases in recent years, and on the basis of its continued application of a robust BSE control and eradication programme, the UK has applied to the European Commission for a change in its BSE status from high risk to moderate risk. The European Commission has referred the UK case to the relevant scientific committee for evaluation.

From Ireland's perspective, it will be necessary to await the results of the scientific evaluation and any Commission proposals arising from this before making any definitive comments on the UK's application for a change of BSE categorisation. Our reaction to any Commission proposals arising will be science based and we will in particular be seeking whatever assurances are necessary in relation to the protection of the health of consumers in Ireland and elsewhere.