Vol. 343 No. 6
asked the Minister for Agriculture the Government's attitude to the EEC Draft Directive on health problems relating to residues of antibiotics in fresh meat of Community origin; the research that has been carried out in this country on this problem; and the action the Government proposes to take to deal with the matter.
11.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it is intended to take any steps to control the use of antibiotics in cattle and sheep to ensure that meat is not contaminated by antibiotics when purchased for consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
12.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it is intended to take any steps to ensure that antibiotic residue is not contained in milk and milk products; and the steps it is intended to take to produce a proper system of controls to provide protection for the consumer.
13.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will introduce a system whereby antibiotics are only available to farmers to be administered to farm animals upon the use of such antibiotics first being sanctioned and prescribed by a veterinary practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 13, inclusive, together.
Antibiotics are used in animal husbandary for therapeutic purposes and properly administered can be an effective means of controlling disease. Their misuse may, however, result in residues in food which could have implications from a human health point of view. These residues could arise particularly from failure to observe the correct periods for non-marketing of milk after treatment of cows for mastitis or from failure to observe correct withdrawal periods before the slaughter of animals to which antibiotics have been administered. This is an area where legislative controls are lacking at present and my Department have already initiated discussions with the interests involved about the possible regulation of the use, application, distribution and monitoring of antibiotic substances. The question of making antibiotics available only on veterinary prescription will also be examined in this context.
The Minister for Health recently introduced regulations under the Poisons Act, 1961, which have the effect of confining the retail sale of antibiotics to pharmacies and to other licensed outlets that have available the services of pharmacists or veterinary surgeons. In addition, the EEC has adopted two directives laying down conditions and standards for the manufacture of veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, and requiring member states to introduce before November next a system of assessing such products. The EEC Commission has also put forward a proposal for a directive relating to antibiotic residues in fresh meat. This would lay down a uniform system for the examination for residues of antibiotics, the frequency of sampling, permissible tolerances and measures to be taken if the tolerances are exceeded. My Department are actively involved in the examination of this proposal in Brussels.
In relation to milk and milk products, penalties, varying from price reductions to the withdrawal of supply contracts, are applied by the co-operative creameries to milk found to contain antibiotic residues. As a result there is no recent evidence of residues in butter and cheese whilst any levels found in milk powder are so low as not to constitute a public health hazard.
I thank the Minister for his statement that it is intended to legislate in this area. Will he confirm that in the context of any legislation there will be a uniform system of testing meat slaughtered and available for domestic consumption? Does he agree that all meat slaughtered for domestic consumption in not subject to the same stringent testing as meat slaughtered for export? Does he agree that that is unsatisfactory?
I do not altogether agree. There are what I consider reasonably adequate controls. There is the Animal Remedies Act which provides for the proper labelling of animal remedies and antibiotics and there is the 1974 Animal Remedies Act which prohibits the sale of certain chemicals except under licence by the Minister for Agriculture. Under national and EEC provisions only certain antibiotics may be incorporated in animal feeding stuffs. Indeed, in Ireland we are much more stringent than in other EEC countries. In the North of Ireland antibiotics may be used in poultry rearing whereas we do not allow such antibiotics to be used.
I agree with the Minister. These are inflamatory type questions and they only do us harm as an agricultural nation. We export fresh food but we are confronted with statements in daily newspapers——
The Deputy may not make a statement.
Can the Minister indicate when he anticipates the directive will be finalised which will introduce uniformity into the testing of meat for domestic consumption and for export? When does he anticipate legislation will be introduced in this area?
There is continuing amending legislation and the Deputy can take it there will not be any undue delay in bringing about uniformity, particularly since we have captured quite substantial markets on the continental mainland.
(Limerick West): Is it the Minister's intention to consult with agricultural interests?
All interests will be consulted.
(Limerick West): When?
Negotiations are taking place in Brussels. When the findings come to the Department, I assume we will have discussions with representatives from the opposite benches.
Will the Minister agree that as a result of the public alarm created by the Galway city analyst which indicated that 75 per cent of bulk milk intended for consumption in that area was found to have antibiotic residue, there is a need to introduce urgently stringent control in relation to the testing of milk for consumption? Will the Minister communicate with his colleague, the Minister for Health, in this regard? Such controls should be the same as those available for milk in use as a dairy product where there is no similar difficulty. Will the Minister confirm that under investigations conducted by his Department in October of last year——
(Limerick West): On a point of order, on every occasion that this side of the House puts a question the Chair interrupts but Deputy Shatter has been allowed to speak for the last three minutes without interruption by the Chair.
Deputy Noonan should withdraw that remark. Deputy Shatter is having four questions answered together and because of that the Chair is giving him somewhat more latitude. Deputy Shatter is also putting questions to the Minister of State.
(Limerick West): I am not questioning the number of supplementaries being put by Deputy Shatter but I am questioning the length of his questions.
The length of his speech.
(Limerick West): The Chair is thwarting this side of the House all the time.
The Deputy must withdraw that remark.
(Limerick West): If the Chair feels that way about my remark I have no hesitation in withdrawing it.
That is how the Chair feels about it.
(Limerick West): In withdrawing the remark I should like to ask the Chair to consider this side of the House which the Chair has an obligation to safeguard also.
I have taken supplementaries from one side of the House to the other. Deputy Shatter should be allowed to proceed.
Will the Minister confirm that research undertaken by his Department in October last year indicated in relation to bulk milk supplies——
If Deputies opposite do not consider the finding of an antibiotic residue in milk to be an important matter that is their problem. Will the Minister confirm that on an investigation undertaken by the Department in October last year testing showed that approximately 19 per cent of the liquid milk available for consumption had antibiotic residue in it? Will the Minister indicate the attitude of the Department to that and the steps being taken about the matter?
The Deputy may take it that the proposed legislation will cover all aspects of the use of antibiotic substances. It is in the interest of all that this should be done.
Will the Minister state how it can happen that there may be a residuum of antibiotic in powder milk and none at all in butter or liquid milk? That is a mystery to me.
I do not know. The amount found in powdered milk was quite small.
How is it that it was there at all, even though very small, and not in butter or whole milk? I cannot understand it.
Obviously, there would have to be a tiny percentage in whole milk if it was to finish up in the powder.
Is it the intention of the Minister to introduce legislation to control the sale of antibiotics to farmers except where prescribed by a veterinary surgeon? I am sure the Minister of State is aware that farmers must pay a fee of £10 to veterinary surgeons for each visit. I do not think the legislation suggested by the Minister is desirable.
What about the cost of public health due to the misuse of antibiotics?
The matter is being examined and I would prefer not to comment at this stage.
The Minister is wise to communicate with the agricultural industry and those involved in farming but I urge him to get Deputy Shatter off his back and off the backs of farmers. After the speech by the Taoiseach yesterday the Minister of State should see to it that Deputy Shatter gets an invitation to the Taoiseach's office to be briefed on agriculture. Last week he was concerned about hares and I wonder what it will be next week.
Red herrings.
It is very difficult to run with the hare and chase with the hound all the time as the Deputies are aware.
