Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that there are adequate checks and safeguards in place to ensure that infected beef is not imported into Ireland or the EU generally from countries where foot and mouth is widespread; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21794/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The placing of animal products on to the EU market may only take place where the conditions for their production and processing meet the EU's animal and public health requirements. Where risks to the safety of animal and public health arise from animal disease outbreaks, such as the foot and mouth disease, the EU Commission, which has responsibility in this area, immediately places restrictions on trade in live animals and animal products of the susceptible species until such risks have been eliminated. In this context safeguard measures banning importation from regions in Brazil that are affected by foot and mouth disease have been applied since 2005. More recently measures banning the export of meat and live animals of susceptible species from the UK have been applied since the outbreak of the disease in Surrey.

At the point of entry on the territory of the EU, importers of animal products are required to present consignments and the health certificates to an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) for veterinary inspection. Documentary, identity and physical checks including checks on the origin of the products are carried out at the BIP in accordance with EU requirements. Where it is established that imported animal product has met all required conditions it is released for free circulation within the Community. Copies of the BIP clearance documentation must accompany the consignment to its first food business operator destination. Imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. If non-compliance is established the products are seized for destruction at cost to the importer.

My Department has also increased its controls supervising intra-community trade in animals and animal products in particular with the UK in order to safeguard this country's very high animal health status. My Department's services co-operates closely on protecting the animal health status of the island of Ireland with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Northern Ireland.