asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the European Commission following an inspection visit by the European Union Food and Veterinary Office last year which found that most of the deficiencies found in Brazil in 2003 have still not been rectified.[HL6783]
In January 2006, following the inspection visit, the Commission proposed changes to the list of third-country-approved residue plans, including the removal of Brazil in respect of honey and wild game. This was adopted unanimously by all member states at the meeting of the scientific committee on animal health and veterinary measures relating to public health (SCoFCAH) on 24 January 2006. Imports of honey and wild game have not been permitted from Brazil since 17 March 2006, the application date of the implementing Commission decision.
The UK representatives at the European Commission's meeting of SCoFCAH on 4 and 5 July expressed concern at the situation in Brazil. The Commission made it clear that it is taking the issue seriously and assessing whether Brazil can provide sufficient guarantees that the quality of its produce meets European standards. The UK Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Given that there are no European Union approved pig production plants in Brazil, how much Brazilian pig meat has been imported to the European Union.[HL6784]
The table below shows imports of pig meat from Brazil into the EU in 2003 and 2004. There was no trade in 2005.
Importing country Quantity (100 kilogrammes) Value (euros) Quantity (100 kilogrammes) Value (euros) Germany 152 24,988 15 3,091 Sweden 3 1,563 0 217 Netherlands 0 0 0 163 Source: Live Comext, SOEC Luxembourg Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Agricultural Statistics and Analysis Division, Defra EU data are based on EU25 2005 data are subject to amendments
Imports of pork are not permitted from Brazil under animal/public health requirements, and were not permitted in 2003 or 2004. While Brazil is recorded as the country of dispatch for these imports into the EU, the products may have a different country of origin (records for this are not available). It should also be noted that overseas trade data are subject to a degree of statistical error. The overall level of errors is low, but these errors have a much greater proportional effect on countries with small values or volumes of trade. Therefore, care is needed when interpreting the data.