Minutes of Proceedings

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 12.05 p.m. and declared the meeting open to the public.

1.1 The Chairman welcomed Mr Bert Houston, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and Mr S Johnston, DARD; Mr McAllister, Director; Mr Robinson and Ms Kirsten Dunbar, Food Standards Agency to the meeting at 12.10 p.m.

Mr Dallat attended the meeting at 12.15 p.m.

1.2 Messrs McAllister and Houston each made a statement and then answered questions from the Chairman and members.

1.3 The issues discussed included:

1.3.1 Ministerial responsibility for the Food Standards Agency (FSA)

1.3.2 The respective roles of the FSA and DARD

1.3.3 The inspection and certification practices involved in the export and import of beef

1.3.4 The FSA's referral of the controls in Germany to the European Union

1.3.5 The type of beef involved.

Mr Savage left the meeting (to speak in the Chamber on Committee business) at 12.25 p.m.

1.4 Resolved: that the FSA would forward a copy of its letter, to the Commissioner, to the Committee.

1.5 Messrs McAllister and Houston withdrew from the meeting at 12.45 p.m.

1.6 Mr White, Eurostock and Mr Phelim O'Neill and Mr D Rutledge, Livestock and Meat Commission were welcomed to the meeting at 12.50 p.m.

1.7 Each made a short presentation and answered questions from the Chairman and Members.

1.8 The issues discussed included:

1.8.1 Rigorous inspection controls carried out by processors.

1.8.2 Sealing and Certification of imported beef.

1.8.3 Import of German beef part of long-term strategy to keep open European export market.

1.8.4 Legislation on labelling beef from country of slaughter to retailers.

1.9 The Committee deliberated.

1.10 Resolved: that a press release, as approved by the Committee, be issued immediately after the meeting.

1.11 Resolved: that the Committee should invite Commissioner Byrne to address the Members on the incident.

1.12 Resolved: that the Committee should write to the Minister asking her to capitalise on this situation, promoting the rigorous testing carried out in Northern Ireland and press for the lifting of the ban on Northern Ireland beef.

Mr Savage returned to the meeting at 1.15 p.m.

2.1 Resolved: that the next meeting of the Committee would be on Friday, 26 January 2001 at 10.00 a.m.

The Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 1.25 p.m.