Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of beef imported in to the EU and Ireland from Brazil; the measures she proposes to protect the food supply here in view of the recent disease problems in Brazil. [29537/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Following confirmation of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in cattle and pigs on a farm in the Eldorado district of Mato Grosso do Sul in the southern part of Brazil, the European Commission presented a proposal on 12 October to suspend imports of de-boned and matured beef from the regions of Mato Grosso do Sul, Parana, and also Sao Paulo.

The Commission extended the scope of the measure to include the region of Sao Paulo on the basis of concerns in relation to the possible movement of animals from the area where the outbreak occurred. The proposal was adopted at a meeting of the standing committee on the food chain and animal health at which my Department is represented. Accordingly beef produced in the affected regions from cattle slaughtered since 29 September 2005 may not now be traded. The measures have immediate effect throughout the EU and are being applied to direct imports of beef by my Department's approved border inspection posts.

I am satisfied that the action taken is the appropriate response to the recent outbreak of FMD in Brazil. I will keep the position under close review in conjunction with the European Commission and other member states. The implementation of this decision will have a very significant impact on exports of beef from Brazil to the EU.

Direct imports of beef from Brazil into Ireland and the EU in recent years amounted to:

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount and country of origin of all meat and meat products imported into Ireland from outside the EU. [29538/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Central Statistics Office is responsible for the collection of statistics in relation to imports of meat and meat products. The following tables, which were compiled from data supplied by that office, set out the details requested by the Deputy. In relation to the tables it should be noted that, in certain cases, the record of import may include the re-import of Irish products that were originally the subject of an export from this country, and, while every effort is made to ensure accuracy, these returns may stand to be adjusted marginally as data is rechecked by the CSO.