WRITTEN QUESTION P-1762/01 by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission. Meat imports.
Date: 2001-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Australia, New Zealand, import policy, meat, trade restriction, veterinary legislation

C 364 E/200

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

(2001/C 364 E/217)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1762/01

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Meat imports

Can the Commission confirm whether there are any EU regulations that prohibit the importation of meat
from Australia and/or New Zealand into the UK, or any other EU Member State?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

In brief, meat from Australia and New Zealand can be imported into the Community provided it complies
with the relevant veterinary health requirements.

In relation to animal and public health conditions, import rules have been laid down by the Commission
in conformity with Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary
inspection problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat
from third
countries (1). As both countries fulfil certain animal health requirements, Australia and New Zealand are
listed in Council Decision 79/542/EEC of 21 December 1976 drawing up a list of third countries from
which the Member States authorize imports of bovine animals, swine and fresh meat (2) as countries
authorised to export fresh meat to the Community. Harmonised animal health certification has been laid
down in Commission Decisions 80/801/EEC of 25 July 1980 concerning animal health conditions and
veterinary certification for the importation of fresh meat from Australia (3) and 80/805/EEC of 25 July
1980 concerning animal health conditions and veterinary certification for the importation of fresh meat
from New Zealand (4).

In relation to public health, requirements have to be certified according to Annex A of Directive 72/462/
EEC which includes guarantees that the meat originates from animals that have not been treated with
substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action nor with beta-agonists (in conformity with Council
Directive 96/22/EC of 29 April 1996 concerning the prohibition on the use in stockfarming of certain
substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action and of (cid:223)-agonists, and repealing Directives 81/602/
EEC, 88/146/EEC and 88/299/EEC (5)).
In addition in order to export food of animal origin to the
Community a third country must be included in the list of countries for which residue plans have been
provisionally approved under 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 (5).

Establishments (slaughterhouses, cutting plants, etc.) are also listed in Community legislation.

For information, each of these countries benefit from a number of import tariff quotas covering certain
quantities and types of meat to be imported at reduced or zero customs duties.

(1) OJ L 302, 31.12.1972.
(2) OJ L 146, 14.6.1979.
(3) OJ L 234, 5.9.1980.
(4) OJ L 236, 9.9.1980.
(5) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.