Irish MEP Ciaran Mullooly has asked EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič for assurances that Brazilian beef, currently banned from the European Union, cannot reach the single market through the United Kingdom. He raised the issue in the European Parliament in Strasbourg during a debate on reform of the Union Customs Code.

The Midlands-North West MEP welcomed the reform's promise of more legal certainty for business and more consistency for customs officials, but said the Brazilian beef issue tests how those protections will work in practice. Because Brazilian beef can still enter the UK, and because of Northern Ireland's unique position in relation to the single market, he argued, the Commission must be able to show that the customs system is a watertight safeguard against any attempt to circumvent the restrictions.

"This beef is coming into the UK and Northern Ireland has a particular position in relation to our European Single Market," Mullooly told the commissioner. "So I have to ask the commissioner if he can give us assurances that the food-safety standards of Europe will be protected by customs officials. That has to apply notwithstanding the unusual situation that the people of Northern Ireland face at the moment when it comes to keeping Brazilian beef out."

After the debate he said that if the EU has decided Brazilian beef cannot currently meet the requirements for entry, that decision must be enforceable at every possible point of entry. "Irish and European farmers are required to meet exceptionally high standards on food safety, traceability and production," he said. "We cannot have uncertainty about whether imported beef which is barred from direct entry into the European Union could find another route towards the single market. I am asking the trade commissioner for a clear guarantee that the customs system is strong enough to prevent that from happening."

The EU suspended imports of Brazilian beef, poultry and other animal products on September 3 over concerns about Brazil's compliance with EU rules on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals. Joe Griffin reported for Agriland.

Source: Agriland