381. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is taking to ensure that the beef being imported from Mercosur countries are not containing any type of chemical preservative to their fresh meat which, achieves an extended shelf life, leading to negative health impacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48514/26]

Beef can only enter the EU from non-EU countries which are listed by Regulation (EU) 2021/405. Before a non-EU country is listed and can gain access to the EU market, it must apply for listing by the European Commission, and the application must be evaluated satisfactorily by the Commission. Following its listing, the country may propose establishments for listing. Establishments producing beef intended for export to the EU must comply with the public health requirements specified in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

Also, consignments of beef entering the EU from any non-EU country, including Mercosur countries, must do so through an approved Border Control Post (BCP). At the BCP, consignments are subject to official controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These controls include documentary checks, identity checks and, where required, physical examinations and sampling. Consignments that satisfy these controls may be released from the BCP for placing on the market.

As part of the certification process in the non-EU country, the official veterinarian must certify that the meat fulfils the guarantees covering animals and products thereof provided by the control plan on residues and contaminants submitted in accordance with Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292, and that the third country, or region thereof, of origin is listed as approved by the EU for importation of beef.

Controls on imported beef, including testing for residues, are governed by EU legislation on official controls, and are graduated and risk-based. Consignments entering any EU Member State from any third country are sampled and tested in accordance with a national, risk-based monitoring plan (NRCP) for residues and contaminants, in line with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. The NRCP must be approved by the European Commission. Sampling at BCPs is targeted based on risk factors, including previous compliance history and EU-wide monitoring priorities.

Where serious or repeated non-compliances are identified, intensified official controls may be applied, including increased and targeted sampling, additional physical checks, or other appropriate enforcement measures.

Imported beef placed on the market in the EU must comply with EU food safety and labelling rules. Imported beef is required to bear a date of minimum durability. Labelling checks of imported product are among the controls carried out at the BCP.