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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Mar 1966

Vol. 221 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality of Exported Bacon.

22.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will comment on a statement made recently by a member of the Pigs and Bacon Commission in relation to the fact that some Irish bacon factories were still turning out a very poor product and that no effective action was being taken against this limited and well known number of curers.

It seems to me that the statement in question was much too sweeping and did not present a fair and balanced picture. The Pigs and Bacon Commission's staff are doing a good job on the selection of bacon for export and my Department's veterinary staff are concerned to ensure that the highest possible standards of hygiene are maintained in the factories.

In the case of many factories, major works of reconstruction and re-equipment are being carried out under my Department's scheme of grants for the modernisation of bacon factories, and these works are contributing greatly to the improvement of conditions at the factories concerned, many of which are quite old.

There is no doubt that there has been an appreciable improvement generally in the quality of our bacon in the past few years. Naturally, all concerned will continue to strive for a further improvement.

The Minister will agree that these remarks have caused considerable concern and the Minister will remember that about 12 months ago I raised this matter very strongly in the House and the outcome at that time was that I got a foolish solicitor's letter. I am very disappointed that no improvement has since taken place. Can the Minister tell the House whether any serious action has been taken against offenders since that date? At that time the Minister said he was going to institute some form of fines for offenders. Has that been done? Has any firm been fined? Was any serious action taken to make them come into line, or are a limited number being allowed to export inferior bacon as suggested?

Hear, hear.

That is a very tendentious sort of question. First of all, this statement by this member of the Pigs and Bacon Commission came as a great surprise to everyone concerned, because on two recent occasions the Chairman of the Pigs and Bacon Commission indicated that considerable improvements were achieved over the past year or so in the quality of bacon exported. For instance, in an address to the bacon curers and farmers, on 21st January, the Chairman of the Pigs and Bacon Commission said that there was a significant and sustained improvement in the past year in the quality of our bacon exported. I think most of the people concerned in this matter would agree that that is the position. As I have said, strenuous efforts are made at all times by the staff of the Pigs and Bacon Commission, and the veterinary officers of my Department responsible for these matters, to improve the situation. We spend a great deal of money on grants to bacon factories to help them to modernise their premises and bring them in line with modern requirements. Action is taken constantly——

What sort of action?

In one case a bacon factory was closed down because of its inability to meet our requirements. Apart from the rather drastic action of closing down a factory, we are by instruction, propaganda and exhortation endeavouring to improve the position. Only grade A special and grade A bacon are exported. All bacon exported is examined first by the veterinary officers of my Department for butchery and hygiene, and subsequently by inspectors of the Pigs and Bacon Commission, for quality. No opportunity is lost to impress on everyone concerned the necessity of ensuring the highest possible quality. Only last month we had a conference of the veterinary staff concerned in my Department which reviewed the whole position and discussed what could be done to improve matters, and decided on various actions which will be taken.

Is the Minister empowered to fine any of these firms, or is there nothing short of putting them out of business that he can do?

We can do a lot of things.

Can you fine?

Is it not true that the Minister said he would take power to do that 12 months ago?

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