Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all poultry imports are compliant with national and European Union legislation in terms of husbandry, production, hygiene and traceability requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43862/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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EU and national legislation governing the animal health conditions for intra Community trade and imports from third countries of live poultry and hatching eggs stipulate that the poultry in question must satisfy certain animal health requirements, so as to avoid the spread of infectious diseases. Poultry imports sourced from another Member State are subject to common EU laws and are mandatory across the EU. In the case of Third Countries, equivalent measures relating to the state of health of the national poultry flock and other livestock, the organization of the veterinary services and the health regulations in force, must be in place in order for that country to trade with the EU.

Each consignment of poultry or hatching eggs is also accompanied by a designated standard Veterinary Certificate which constitutes an effective means of verifying that the Community rules are being applied. Each Member State reserves the right to place an immediate prohibition on imports from a third country when such imports may be dangerous for human and animal health. Following import, it is left to the competent authorities in each Member State to approve establishments which satisfy the appropriate conditions and to ensure that these are applied. In Ireland, such poultry are subject to the national welfare Regulations setting out the standards for the Protection of Animals on Farms.