Written answers
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Live Exports
Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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257. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 17 December 2015, the progress to date in persuading Chinese authorities to remove strict new limits imposed on cadmium levels for live crab intended for export to China; if similar restrictions are in force on exports originating from other countries destined for the Chinese market, or if the rules only apply to Irish crab; if he is aware of the detrimental impact which these restrictions are having on the industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4471/16]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Further to my reply to the Deputy’s question of 17 December 2015, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) continues to actively liaise with both the Chinese import authorities and the Irish live crab exporters on this issue. The SFPA has offered to facilitate a visit by Chinese authorities to examine Ireland’s official control systems, laboratories and crab production establishments and is continuing to explore this and other avenues of engagement. The implementation of food regulations for imports to China is a matter for the Chinese authorities. Ireland applies stringent European standards and follows procedures which include monitoring the safety of Irish seafood so that consumers can continue to have high confidence in the quality of Irish seafood. As I have stated before, I acknowledge the concerns that live crab exporters have at this time and I am satisfied that the SFPA, with the support of my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Marine Institute, is making every effort to resolve this issue.
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