Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the attempts he has made to convey Irish concerns on the importing of Brazilian beef to the European Commission. [36228/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2007 the Commission proposed more severe restrictions on Brazilian imports to the Community. This arose from the findings of EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) during its various missions to Brazil. These restrictions were recommended by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain & Animal Health (SCoFCAH) and proposed that imports be limited to a small number of farms that could meet the criteria laid down by the FVO. Ireland could not support proposal and argued that a total ban on beef imports from Brazil was justified in view of the FVO's findings. Other Member States however supported the Commission's proposal which was duly adopted Commission Decision No. 2008/61/EC.

Following this there have been a number of FVO missions which continue to report shortcomings in the Brazilian system. When these reports were discussed at SCoFCAH meetings other Member States continued to support the Commission's approach of restricting imports as opposed to applying a total ban.