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Pigmeat Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012

Tuesday, 24 April 2012

Ceisteanna (533)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

626 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the efforts that he employed in the course of his recent visit to China to address the continuing anomaly whereby pigs born and reared in this State and brought for slaughter and processing in the County Tyrone based Vion Meats plant at Cookstown are unable to access the Chinese market because neither authorities, north or south of the Border, can verify all three elements of traceability, that is born, reared and slaughtered; if he will report a breakthrough or at the very least progress towards an island of Ireland solution to this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19941/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

For reasons of bio-security, many third countries, or countries outside the EU insist that the animal products exported to them derive from animals originating in the exporting State. The Protocol for pigmeat agreed between my Department and the Chinese Ministry with responsibility for Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine in 2005 contains a requirement that "slaughtered swine for pork exported to the People’s Republic of China shall be born, raised and slaughtered in Ireland”. I understand that the Chinese authorities require similar wording for most, if not all, countries with whom they have agreed veterinary health certificates. The certification for pigs slaughtered in Northern Ireland is under the remit of the Northern Irish authorities and outside of the control of my Department. Therefore, as the case you raise refers to pigs slaughtered in Northern Ireland, it is a matter for the Northern Irish authorities and it would be inappropriate for me to raise this issue with the Chinese. I would also point out that the conditions set out in veterinary health certificates which allow for the export of products to third countries, are ultimately a matter for the importing country.

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