Commission Statement on Northern Ireland Exports
14 August 2007
Jim Allister MEP has received correspondence from the European Commission that Northern Ireland meat exports to other Member States, ‘Will not be affected by the current Foot and Mouth Outbreak in Britain’.
Mr Allister commented,
‘Last week Northern Ireland exports were being rejected by some other EU Member States, despite the fact that we were not subject to an EU ban in place elsewhere in the United Kingdom. I raised this issue with Commissioner Kyprianou, and yesterday I was informed that questions of practical implementation have now been clarified with all Member States.’
‘It is my understanding, however that all is not well for a number of local companies particularly in the pigmeat sector. That is why I have written to Northern Ireland food processors, advising any Company still experiencing trading difficulties as a result of Foot and Mouth to contact my Office immediately. Individual cases can then be raised with the relevant European authorities, to ensure Commission Decision 2007/552/EC which exempts Northern Ireland from trading restrictions is properly enforced.’
‘I have also written to Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to ensure he makes the case to non-EU Countries that Northern Ireland is Foot and Mouth–free, and any attempt to refuse to accept meat or meat products is unjustified and unacceptable.’
