Written answers

Thursday, 22 November 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Food Safety Standards

3:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action she has taken directly or in conjunction with her EU colleagues to ensure that all food and food products imported into the EU complies with national and European standards on production, traceability and health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30278/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Detailed EU legislation lays down the conditions that Member States must apply to the production of and trade in products of animal origin as well as to imports of these products from third countries.

It is a requirement that animal products imported from third countries 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 approved for export to the EU.

My Department has responsibility for operation of public and animal health control in the area of third country import of food of animal origin, including meat. These are carried out in co-operation with Customs Service. Import control forms a part of the EU's integrated policy of guaranteeing that the food produced and placed on to the market is safe and that animal and public health is not put at risk. They are a part of the EU's hygiene package the implementation and monitoring of which is carried out by the relevant competent agencies under Service Contracts by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland since 1999.

The EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carries out inspections to ensure that only establishments that meet hygiene and health standards equivalent to those operating within the EU are approved. Where the FVO considers that public health requirements are not being met, an establishment may be removed from the EU approved list. If outbreaks of animal diseases occur in a third country approval to export to the EU is suspended for the infected regions of the country, or the whole country, as appropriate, until the disease risk has been eliminated.

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 EU Commissioner for Health 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 emphasised the need to take account of the non-trade aspect of market access, which I regard as a crucial element in the overall negotiations.

I have already publicly welcomed the publication of the latest FVO report by the EU Commission. The report should be very helpful in the overall process of ensuring equivalence. As I indicated at the time of the publication of the report my Department has requested the EU authorities to arrange for a discussion of this report at the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.

A further mission to Brazil is being arranged for this month by the EU Food and Veterinary Office. It is vital that the FVO report on their findings at the earliest possible date and that the EU Commission will take whatever action is necessary to protect the interests of EU consumers and producers.

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