Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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148. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the standards which will be applied to Canadian beef and pork imports to Ireland as a result of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement signed between the EU and Canada last month. [48557/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the EU/Canada Trade agreement initialled last month by President Barroso and the Canadian Prime Minister, Canada was awarded a tariff rate quota for beef of 50,000 tonnes carcase weight equivalent. This equates to a quota of 39,000 tonnes of boneless beef. The quota is split between fresh/chilled beef comprising 31,000 tonnes, plus the existing 4,000 tonnes quota as part of the Hormones Agreement, and frozen beef comprising 15,000 tonnes. As regards pigmeat, Canada was awarded a quota of 75,000 tonnes.

The agreement has yet to be endorsed by the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Moreover, certain matters, including details of the management of tariff rate quotas, have still to be finalised. However, I can tell you that under EU veterinary legislation the principle of equivalence will apply. This means that all imports of beef and pigmeat into the EU must be produced to standards equivalent to those applicable in the EU and in plants that are approved by the EU Commission. The regime is monitored by the EU Food and Veterinary Office.

In practical terms, any imports of beef and pigmeat from Canada will be accompanied by veterinary certificates issued by the Canadian authorities which will, inter alia, certify origin and that the animals have not been treated with hormones.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to prevent the same market access concessions as were given to Canada in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement being made available to the United States during its current negotiations of a trade deal with the EU. [48558/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the EU/Canada Trade agreement initialled last month by President Barroso and the Canadian Prime Minister, Canada was awarded a tariff rate quota for beef of 50,000 tonnes carcass weight equivalent. This equates to a quota of 39,000 tonnes of boneless beef. The quota is split between fresh/chilled beef comprising 31,000 tonnes, plus the existing 4,000 tonnes quota as part of the Hormones Agreement, and frozen beef comprising 15,000 tonnes. As regards pigmeat, Canada was awarded a quota of 75,000 tonnes.

I have been in regular contact with Commissioner Ciolos concerning this agreement and I have made it clear to the Commission that it should not act as a precursor to the EU – US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. The Taoiseach has also raised this issue with President Barroso.