Imported beef controls governed by EU 'risk-based’ legislation – Heydon
Controls on imported beef, including testing for residues and contaminants, are governed by EU legislation that is "graduated and risk-based”.
These comments were made recently by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.
The minister was queried on the matter by Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice.
The Roscommon-Galway TD asked the minister for the measures his department is taking to ensure that the beef being imported from Mercosur countries does not contain any type of chemical preservative to their fresh meat.
Minister Heydon replied: “Beef can only enter the EU from non-EU countries which are listed by Regulation (EU) 2021/405.
“Before a non-EU country is listed and can gain access to the EU market, it must apply for listing by the European Commission, and the application must be evaluated satisfactorily by the commission.
“Following its listing, the country may propose establishments for listing. Establishments producing beef intended for export to the EU must comply with the public health requirements.”
Mercosur
The minister said that consignments of beef entering the EU from any non-EU country, including Mercosur countries, must do so through an approved Border Control Post (BCP).
He added: “At the BCP, consignments are subject to official controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
“These controls include documentary checks, identity checks and, where required, physical examinations and sampling.
"Consignments that satisfy these controls may be released from the BCP for placing on the market.”
The minister also outlined other aspects of the certification process.
He said that as part of the certification process in the non-EU country, the official veterinarian must certify that the meat fulfils the guarantees covering animals and products, and that the third country, or region, of origin is listed as approved by the EU for importation of beef.
Minister Heydon added: “Controls on imported beef, including testing for residues, are governed by EU legislation on official controls, and are graduated and risk-based.
“Consignments entering any EU Member State from any third country are sampled and tested in accordance with a national, risk-based monitoring plan (NRCP) for residues and contaminants, in line with Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
“The NRCP must be approved by the European Commission. Sampling at BCPs is targeted based on risk factors, including previous compliance history and EU-wide monitoring priorities.”
He added that where serious or repeated non-compliances are identified, intensified official controls may be applied, including increased and targeted sampling, additional physical checks, or other appropriate enforcement measures.
“Imported beef placed on the market in the EU must comply with EU food safety and labelling rules,” Minister Heydon stated.
“Imported beef is required to bear a date of minimum durability.
"Labelling checks of imported product are among the controls carried out at the BCP.”
