Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the volume of pet foods imported into the country; if she is satisfied that European traceability and husbandry requirements have been applied in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24997/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Data supplied by the Central Statistics Office indicates that the total quantity of pet food imported into this country from January to December 2005 was 53,727 tonnes. Importers of pet foods are required to register with my Department and give at least 24 hours notice of intention to import. In the case of pet food originating from an EU source it must come from an approved establishment and be accompanied to its destination with a commercial document or a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the Member State of origin. In the case of importation from third countries it must originate in a country approved by the EU for trade in such products, have been produced in an approved establishment and be accompanied by a health certificate in accordance with the provisions of Community legislation and must be presented for inspection at an EU Approved Border Inspection Post. Importation of meat and bone meal or such products for any purpose to do with the farm animal and human food chain is prohibited.