asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that a feeding stuff described as cotton-seed meal, which has been put on the market for sale to Irish live-stock producers, contains foreign matter which is calculated to be injurious to live stock; and, if so, if he will state the country of origin of this commodity and when it was imported, and if he will take steps to prevent its further distribution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cotton-Seed Meal.
A consignment of 150 tons of Syrian cotton-seed meal, imported on 24th October, 1950, was distributed to traders. When it was ascertained that the consignment was not typical of the samples of cotton-seed meal usually sold in this country, by reason of the fact that it appeared to have a high proportion of cotton lint, the importer instructed the purchasers to discontinue the sale of this commodity. While a small proportion of this product was sold, the bulk of the consignment is now held by the traders concerned pending the result of discussions regarding its final disposal.
Would the Minister say, in respect of imported foodstuffs such as this imported cotton-seed meal, whether there is any examination or scrutiny by officers of the Department or anybody on his behalf before these foodstuffs are distributed?
At the point of import, no; but there is a general duty on the officers of my Department from time to time to take samples of foodstuffs. In this particular case, the Deputy may rest assured that the importer was a firm of perfect respectability and the moment the defect was detected the most energetic measures were taken to get all of it back from the possibility of consumption.