Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that food imports into Ireland and the EU are compliant with carbon reduction targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7349/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of any requirement for food imported into Ireland and the EU to meet carbon reduction targets. Under the Kyoto Protocol a majority of developed countries are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2008 and 2012 by a least 5% on 1990 levels. Countries that signed up to the Protocol are responsible for meeting their own individual emissions limitation/reduction target. In the case of the EU15 an overall target applies, which has been allocated internally on an individual Member State level. The EU is committed to securing, after 2012, an international agreement which would require all countries to work towards limiting greenhouse gas emissions.