Written answers

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Poultry Industry

8:00 pm

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food if he will list the standing orders and regulations governing the export of poultry, chicks and hatching eggs. [17576/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Directive and Regulations governing the export of poultry, chicks and hatching eggs are as follows:

Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and (makes) specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation);

Council Directive 2009/158/EC which lays down detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs;

Commission Regulation (EC) No. 617/2008 laying down detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs for hatching and farmyard poultry chicks

Statutory Instrument No. 564 of 2010 European Communities (Poultry and Hatching Eggs) Regulations 2010 gives legal effect to these regulations.

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food the action or management strategy approved to promote the internal market and the export of poultry, chicks and eggs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17579/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is the competent authority with responsibility for the agricultural provisions of the Single Market. We implement and manage the relevant suite of legislation agreed at EU level in this area. Much of this legislation is specific to particular sectors and includes Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007, Commission Regulation (EC) No. 617/2008 and Council Directive 2009/158/EC which deal with the operation and functioning of the Single Market and the detailed rules to be applied in the marketing and trade of poultry, chicks and eggs.

Other government departments have responsibility for different topics, including food safety which comes under the aegis of the Department of Health.

The success of the internal market is contingent on the application of horizontal public and animal health standards which require the registration and monitoring of Food Business Operators to ensure that they comply with the relevant regulations. It is critically important for the growth and development of Irish exports in the agri-food sector that Ireland maintains its reputation for the highest standards of quality and food safety and to this end my department, in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, is scrupulous in the application of the various provisions of both domestic and European legislation.

Food Harvest 2020 has targeted a 10% increase in the value of poultry output. Work towards this target will be aided by a number of initiatives which have been taken in the areas of animal welfare, disease surveillance and food safety.

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