Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that animal imports from Brazil comply with the principles established by the WTO and the international organisation governing animal health. [30337/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that Brazilian regulations governing beef production offer the equivalent level of guarantees and protections of human and animal health as those in force within the EU. [30339/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 124 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 their compliance in 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 of 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.

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.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the recent report of the EU Food and Veterinary Office on Brazilian beef production. [30338/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action she will take, if the Food and Veterinary Office reports in the future that imports from Brazil or any third country, represent a heath risk for EU consumers. [30340/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she expects the next Food and Veterinary Office report on Brazilian beef. [30341/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 125 and 126 together.

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.

I have consistently pointed out to the Commissioner and to my colleagues in the Council of Ministers that produce imported from third countries must meet standards that are equivalent to those required of Community producers. In this context I have been in regular contact with the Commissioner and he has assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to take action if a product, imported from a third country represents a risk for EU consumers, livestock or plants.