Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

While imports of beef into Ireland in 2004 amounted to 22,881 tonnes, beef exports of almost 500,000 tonnes were made from Ireland to worldwide destinations. Accordingly, Ireland supports a system that facilitates orderly trade while taking account of animal health.

The operation of harmonised EU legislation governing animal health, production and trade in animal products such as meat, takes account of the EU negotiated position within the WTO. The principle is that imported animal products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, member states. Imports of animal products must come from third countries or areas of third countries that are members of the International Organisation for Animal Health, OIE, and that have been approved for each particular animal product to export to the EU.

Where an animal disease outbreak occurs in an approved third country it must be notified to the OIE. Where there are risks for the Community in terms of public health or economic production, the Commission will immediately deal with the issue at the standing committee on the food chain and animal health, SCoFCAH, and table proposals appropriate to remove any risks arising from trade.

I fully support the policy that animal products imported into the EU from third countries meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, EU member states. Irish farmers are required to ensure their production systems and farm practices fully comply with a wide range of EU directives on important matters including traceability, animal health and welfare and consumer protection.

As I indicated in my previous reply, I wrote to the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr. Markos Kyprianou, on these issues and he indicated that his service is committed to protect the health of European consumers and livestock. He also assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to take appropriate protection measures if a product imported from a third country or produced in the domestic market represents a risk for the health of EC consumers, livestock or plants.

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