Written answers

Thursday, 16 February 2006

Department of Agriculture and Food

Food Industry

5:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views regarding EU food security due to excessive dependence on imports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5933/06]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that the EU is not excessively dependent on imports of food and that there is no reason for concern regarding security of supply either at the present time or for the foreseeable future. The EU is a major trading bloc and, as such, is both a major exporter and importer of food. It is self sufficient in many commodities and is a significant exporter of surplus production to third countries. The EU imports products which it does not produce, such as tropical products. Established patterns of trade take place also for historical reasons and the Community's willingness to enter into preferential agreements with developing countries rather than from a necessity to address deficiencies in domestic supplies.

In so far as food safety is concerned, detailed EU legislation lays down the conditions that member states must apply to the production of and trade in food products of animal origin as well as to imports of these products from third countries. It is a requirement that animal products imported from third countries meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, member states. All such imports must come from third countries or areas of third countries approved for export to the EU.

I fully support the policy that all products of animal origin 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 that 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. These all have significant in-built cost factors and bearing in mind that our beef farmers are in competition on European and international markets from some low cost producing third countries, I will continue to seek real equivalence in these areas, both in discussions within the EU and in the context of the WTO talks on market access.

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