Lack of EU Clarity on Exports a Cause for Concern
11 August 2007
Jim Allister MEP has voiced concern at the lack of clarity relating to the export of Northern Ireland animals and animal products, which he believes is one outcome of a meeting of SCoFCAH, (the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health) on Wednesday.
The MEP commented,
‘I am concerned that the case to safeguard the free movement of animals and animal products from Northern Ireland as a specific foot and mouth-free region, was not given adequate consideration, hence the lack of clarity and special provision put in place to enable our export trade to continue unhindered.’
‘There appears to be a major gap between the optimism expressed by Gildernew that exports would continue as normal, and the reality of the situation on the ground, in that a number of countries are turning away local product as a result of lack of information relating to Northern Ireland’s foot and mouth free status. Adequate resolution of these matters at SCoFCAH would have helped alleviate any misunderstanding that still remains, but sadly this does not appear to have been the case.’
Mr Allister continued,
‘I find it disconcerting that the European Commission remains overly zealous in maintaining Brazilian Beef imports despite inadequate controls in place to eradicate Foot and Mouth disease in that country. In contrast, I see little willingness to safeguard Northern Ireland’s export trade in a meaningful and practical way.’
‘On the matter of a suspected bio-security breach at a Pirbright laboratory being the cause of this recent Foot and Mouth outbreak in England, I have written to DARD asking that adequate safeguards be place to avoid a similar situation arising in laboratories in Northern Ireland, from any of the live viruses being handled in these facilities.’
