Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of beef imported from each part of Brazil during each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24608/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not capture the level of detail of data requested by the Deputy. This information is contained on health certificates that accompany all imported consignments and are retained at Border Inspection Post (BIP) of entry into the EU.

In accordance with EU legislation consignments of animal products being imported from third countries must be notified in advance to the EU approved BIP where it is proposed to enter the EU. It must be accompanied by an approved model of veterinary health certificate and be presented at the BIP to undergo documentary, identity and physical checks in accordance with Community rules.

At the BIP, in co-operation with the Customs Services, detailed checks are carried out to check that the origin of the products conforms to the approved countries and establishment listed in EU legislation and that account is taken of any safeguard Decisions introduced by the Community to control imports where there are incidents of disease outbreaks affecting third countries or regions of third countries. A careful examination of the health certification is carried out to ensure that the EU's certification requirements have been met. Once a consignment has been deemed to meet all these conditions, and it has received the required checks, and the veterinary inspections fees are received, it is then released to the Customs Services for clearance for free circulation within the EU. Copies of the BIP clearance document (Common Veterinary Entry Document — CVED) and the health certificate must accompany the consignment to its destination. The BIP retains the health certificates and record of the examinations it has applied.

The Food and Veterinary Office of the EU carries out audits of the operation of BIP in all the member States and publishes its findings on the Commission's website.