Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister, the Ministers of State and the team in the Department and wish them well. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this agricultural motion. As other speakers said, Irish agriculture will experience significant change this year and in future. With decoupling in place there is an expectation that less food will be produced on farms.

One of the most important things for us as an island nation is to ensure that our markets are maintained and that all the produce we export can stand up to food safety scrutiny by any organisation abroad. The importance of food safety has been recognised at EU level by the establishment of the European Food Safety Authority in 2002.

The European Union has developed a comprehensive package of Community-wide legislation in the area of food safety and hygiene as well as comprehensive measures to ensure satisfactory food safety controls are operated in both inter-Community trade and trade with third countries. In this regard the contract between the Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland covers the implementation in Ireland of all national and EU legislation to protect the interests of the Irish consumer as well as the implementation of import controls as provided for in EU legislation. Comprehensive measures are in place to ensure enforcement of the legislation and control measures. In the case of foodstuffs of animal origin supervisory requirements are applied in member states to ensure that animal-based food products are produced to standards that guarantee the safety of food and the protection of food and animal health. The application of these standards in all member states is monitored by the European Union Food and Veterinary Office.

As regards imports from third countries, all such animal products must come from third countries or specified areas of third countries which are approved for export to the European Union. The EU Food and Veterinary Office carries out inspections to ensure that only establishments with hygiene and health standards equivalent to those in the EU are approved for export to the EU.

All importers of products of animal origin must be registered with the Department of Agriculture and Food and are required to keep appropriate records available for inspection for a period of at least three years. Imported meat must be accompanied by appropriate documentation showing country of origin and the approval number of the premises where it was produced. In the case of third country imports a health certificate is also required. All meat must be appropriately labelled.

Imports from third countries must be landed at specified Border inspection posts. In Ireland these are located at Dublin Port and at Shannon Airport. Documentary, identity and physical checks are carried out at Border inspection points.

All these measures are covered in the contract between the Department of Agriculture and Food and the FSAI. The contract requires the Department to make regular reports to the FSAI on the implementation of these measures. The FSAI also carries out audits on the Department's operations in these areas. The Department's operations are subject to audit by the EU Food and Veterinary Office.

The overall operation of food safety measures is kept under constant review at EU level. These measures are in place to enable the European Commission to introduce specific controls on certain products or on particular countries to ensure the protection of humans and animal health. These measures adopted can be bans on imports of a particular product or of exports from particular member states.

As I have indicated, the importance of the consumer in the agri-food business is at the core of the policy of the Department of Agriculture and Food and it is also essential for the industry. It is a key element of the strategic plan operated by the Government and Department. We must provide the legislation, controls and supports. However, it is equally important that all those involved in the food industry from farmers to retailers and the catering business accept that we have a responsibility to provide a high quality product and the maximum information to our consumers.

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