Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that all food and food products imported here from other EU countries have satisfied the EU production, processing and hygiene standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21911/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that all imported meat into Ireland comes with a disease free status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21912/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which she can verify that all meat and food imports into Ireland are subject to the same production, management, processing and traceability requirements applicable within the European Union; the basis for her verification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21916/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 377, 378 and 382 together.

Conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles established under agreements of World Trade Organisation and the International Organisation for Animal Health. The European Commission is mandated to negotiate these on behalf of the European Community and, through its Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), to monitor compliance in those third countries it has approved for trade with the EU. This approval is on the basis that the Commission adjudges the third country's controls offer an equivalent level of guarantee for the protection animal and human health to those being operated in the Community. Where there are risks to the public or animal health in the Community from disease outbreaks occurring in approved third countries Safeguard Measures are invoked restricting or banning imports from the affected country or region until the risk has been eliminated.

Consignments of animal products for food purposes must be imported and processed through a EU approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) where documentary, identity and physical examination of the consignments are undertaken in accordance with EU requirements. The FVO also audits the operation of BIPs in the Member States. I have consistently pointed out at EU level that produce imported from third countries must meet standards equivalent to those required of Community producers. In this context I have been in regular contact with EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Mr. Markos Kyprianou. 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 for the health of EC consumers, livestock or plants. I should add that in WTO discussions in the Council, I have always emphasized the need to take account of the non-trade aspect of market access, which I regard as a crucial element in the overall negotiations.