Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

My concern hinges on the fact that it is the FVO report that has given us this information and the FVO officials are the ones who are highly critical of the laboratory facilities and of the standards applied. Mr. Medelin, at his recent visit to the committee, stated: "I am advised by my experts that the Brazilian scheme is realistic and on the right track." It is nice to hear that it is on the right track, but we have debated this issue for as long as I can remember. It seems that the FVO officials go in and do the best job they can. Their reports are good. When they returned, two years later or whenever, hardly any of the recommendations they made previously were put in place and they were equally critical. It certainly raises concerns about the assurances we are getting from the Brazilian authorities.

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