WRITTEN QUESTION E-2623/00

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) and Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Imports of reindeer meat from the Kola peninsula food safety and origin labelling

The large-scale importation of reindeer meat from the Kola peninsula region of Russia has caused dismay, particularly in Northern Finland. Although the Commission sent inspectors to the Kola peninsula before granting the import licences, stricter than normal follow-up supervision is required.

Mere spot checks on the quality and safety of reindeer products really are not sufficient. Because of the enormous environmental problems in the Kola peninsula, it ought to be possible to carry out particularly rigorous inspections of the quality of products manufactured from the meat of wild reindeer. The EU should step up cooperation with Russia's environmental and veterinary authorities with a view to obtaining the most detailed possible information concerning the state of the reindeer industry and the level of food safety on the Kola peninsula.

How will the Commission ensure that reindeer meat imported from the Kola peninsula is just as safe for consumers as meat produced elsewhere? What extra measures will the Commission adopt to step up cooperation with the Russian authorities in this field? Will the Commission consider measures with regard to origin labelling similar to those which already apply to beef?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2000)

A number of guarantees exist as to the health status and production conditions of reindeer meat imported from the Kuola Peninsula (region of Murmansk). All such imports must be accompanied by the animal health and public health certification laid down in Commission Decision 97/219/EC of 28 February 1997 laying down animal and public health conditions and veterinary certification for imports of farmed game meat and rabbit meat from third countries(1). This provides detailed health and production guarantees, and is signed by a vet of the official Russian services. The reindeer meat may only be produced in approved premises, which meet all the relevant legislative requirements of the Community. At present there is only one such approved premises: Norrfrys Production Lovozero in Murmansk.

Documentary and physical checks are carried out on the certification and on the individual consignments at the point of import into the Community by Member State veterinary officials to ensure that the necessary standards are met.

The Commission intends to organise a further veterinary mission to the Murmansk region to review the health and control situation relating to reindeer meat production during the first part of 2001. The report of this mission will be presented to the Parliament and Member States, and made publicly available, following the usual procedures.

In addition, one of the guarantees requested annually by Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC(2) is a residue-monitoring plan on reindeer meat from this area. This plan includes monitoring of hormones, residues of veterinary drugs and other contaminants such as heavy metals or organochlorides for reindeers exported to the Community.

(1) OJ L 88, 3.4.1997.

(2) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.