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 145: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all beef and beef products imported into Ireland and on sale through shops, supermarkets or through the catering trade are expected to be compliant with EU regulations in regard to traceability hygiene and husbandry requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30453/07]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all poultry, meat and meat products imported into Ireland and for sale through retail outlets are expected to have been subjected to EU regulations in regard to traceability, processing and hygiene standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30454/07]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all meat and meat products imported into Ireland are certified as being compliant with EU standards in relation to traceability, hygiene and husbandry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30455/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 147, inclusive, together.

Conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles established under agreements of World Trade Organization and the International Organization 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.

On direct import into the EU all consignments of animal products must undergo documentary, identity and physical checks in accordance with EU rules at an EU approved Border Inspection Post. These checks confirm that the products have been sourced from a third country approved to export these products to the EU and come from an approved establishment in that country, that they are appropriately labelled , packaged and have been health certified in accordance with EU requirements by the competent authorities of the exporting country. On release from a BIP each consignment must travel under a Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED), including information on the identity and origin of the consignment, to a Food Business Operator who, under EU Hygiene of Food Regulations, is authorized to place the animal products on the market for human consumption. These regulations also provide that the identity of the Food Business Operator placing the products on the market appear on a label in order to guarantee food safety and for the purpose of traceability in the protection of animal and public health.

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