Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied with Brazilian beef imports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12043/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As a member of the EU and the World Trade Organisation, Ireland is in a position to avail of opportunities for trade that are essential for the development of our open economy. Membership of these organisations also brings reciprocal trade obligations. The principle is that imported animal products 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 that have been approved by the EU authorities for export to the EU.

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. In this context, I contacted the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr. Markos Kyprianou, concerning the sanitary rules applying to the import of livestock products, especially beef, into the European Union. The Commissioner pointed out that, with respect to traceability and controls of residues of veterinary medicines, the purpose of EU legislation is not to impose on exporting third countries a system of guarantees that is equal to the EU system, but that the exporting country provides guarantees that are equivalent to the standards applied in the EU.

The Commissioner indicated his service is committed to protect the health of European consumers and European livestock. It has regularly carried out inspections in Brazil and has taken appropriate measures whenever necessary. The Commission's adoption of restrictive measures in regard to the finding of residues of unauthorised substances in poultry meat and the quick and proportionate protective measures applied to imports of beef as a result of the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Brazil demonstrate the Commission's primary objective of maintaining the high sanitary status of the Community and respecting the EU's commitment under the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, SPS agreement.

The Commissioner has assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to take the appropriate protection measures if a product, imported from a third country or produced in the domestic market, represents a risk to the health of EC consumers, livestock or plants. An EU food and veterinary office inspection to evaluate animal health and public health control systems, traceability and certification procedures in place in Brazil was carried out in September last year. The FVO has just published its findings following a period of consultation with the Brazilian competent authorities and the review of action plans that have been submitted by the Brazilian authorities to the Commission. This report, as well as all previous FVO reports on inspection of third countries' controls for export, may be accessed from the EU Commission's website at the following address, http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fvo/ index_en.htm. While the report comments on a general improvement in the structure, organisation and tasks of the Brazilian competent authorities, it has listed a number of recommendations to the authorities to address deficiencies that were recorded in the course of its audit. The Brazilian authorities have undertaken to submit an action plan in response to these recommendations and my Department will continue to monitor the position.