Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I read with interest the debate that took place between all the members of the committee with DG SANCO, and Commissioner Kyprianou has put in place a number of initiatives that will be evaluated in January. I took the opportunity to express concerns with Commissioner Kyprianou, both in speaking with him at Council and in forwarding to him all sorts of documentation and press articles, to which he adverted in the consultations that took place. If one was to take this at face value, one would still have concerns, but I must take into consideration the competent authority, which is the FVO, the assurances being given, a review in January and that I have been advised, in discussions with the Commissioner, that he personally will travel to Brazil on the basis of concerns expressed.

Ireland is the only member state that has expressed concerns formally to the Commissioner on this issue. This is surprising, especially when many member states are consumer orientated. I will continue to press vociferously, and will be vehement in pursuing guarantees that have been given by the Brazilian authorities. The DG answered the committee on the basis of concerns raised by the committee, but Deputy Upton is correct that we must ensure that what was agreed in August last will be forthcoming.

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