Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the tonnage of meat that has been imported in each of the past four years on a category basis that is beef, chicken and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20469/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Statistics below are provided by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) . In certain cases the record of import may include the re-import of Irish products that were originally the subject of an export from this country. Where every effort is made to ensure accuracy, these returns may stand to be adjusted marginally as data is rechecked by the CSO

Source: CSO

EU rules stipulate that food products of animal origin traded from an EU source must be from approved food business establishments and be accompanied to destination by a commercial document or a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the Member State of origin. Imports from Third countries must be sourced from countries the EU regards as operating controls on production and processing that give equivalent guarantees to those in the EU. Such imports must be accompanied by the appropriate EU model health certification provided by the competent authorities of the country of origin. Following prior notification to the Border Inspection Post (BIP) of import, all consignments must be presented for veterinary examination which will include documentary, identity and physical checks in accordance with EU requirements. The EU Food & Veterinary Office (FVO) monitors and inspects each Member State's controls on Food Safety including the operation of BIPs to ensure the conditions for import and placing of animal products on to the market, as provided under the harmonized legislation, are being correctly applied.

Any imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. Where non-compliance is established they may be returned to the exporting country or destroyed at the importers cost.