Vol. 358 No. 2
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of reports that up to 50 carcases at a Dublin meat plant were recently found to contain growth-promoting hormone pellets; if any steps have been taken against the suppliers of these animals; the measures the Government are taking to protect consumers against abuses of this nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the incidence of dangerous levels of hormone residues found in certain meat products; and if he will introduce regulations to eliminate this serious problem.
3.
asked the Minister for Agriculture in view of the need to protect our food export markets and domestic consumers, the present position in relation to the overhaul of regulations and laws governing the use of animal drugs being undertaken by his Department.
4.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the plans he has to ensure that the amount of antibiotics and hormones in animal meat is reduced.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.
I understand that the carcases referred to were disposed of for pet food. Under present legislation no action can be taken against the suppliers of the animals concerned. I am, however, arranging to make regulations shortly to control more strictly the availability and the use of veterinary medicines, in particular hormonal substances and antibiotics. The regulations will ensure that these substances are used responsibly in livestock production and, in the interests of domestic consumers and the maintenance of export markets, will prevent any undesirable residues getting into the food chain.
A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said last January that it was proposed to make a ministerial order shortly to deal with this problem. At that time the general principles underlying the ministerial order were outlined as confining the use of anabolic agents to prescription only, administering under veterinary supervision and recording on animal identity cards. Why has nothing happened in the meantime?
It is our intention to introduce the orders referred to by the Deputy within the next few weeks. It has not been as straightforward as we thought at the time to draw up the orders and, in addition, the matter has been complicated by ongoing decisions being made in the EC.
The Minister is aware that people's health has been endangered in the meantime. Is the delay because of pressure from certain pressure groups? Is that the reason the orders have not been brought in?
Certainly not. I am particularly concerned that our exports of meat should not be in any way endangered or put at risk. I am very anxious that the orders be brought in as soon as possible.
Will they cover meat for domestic consumption?
They will cover all forms, meat for domestic consumption and also for export.
Will the Minister's plans include a streamlining of the various agencies with responsibility for the monitoring of our foodstuffs at present? As the Minister is aware, we have the Department of Agriculture veterinary inspectorate, the Department of Health, the health boards and the local authorities veterinary inspectorate. I might suggest streamlining of the area with rigorous monitoring to ensure that consumers get uncontaminated food.
There is a division of responsibility between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health. Of course the Department of Health are responsible for any health implications that may exist. While the streamlining to which the Deputy refers may be desirable there is a division of responsibilities. I am afraid that nothing can be done in that regard.
(Limerick West): Has the Minister had discussions or consultations with producer groups?
I have had discussions with the farming organisations. They appreciate the difficulties because of, as I said previously, the risk to our exports if we do not take action.
A final supplementary.
(Limerick West): The Minister spoke about regulations. Can he introduce regulations under existing legislation or will it require new legislation?
I can bring in an order or series of orders without introducing legislation. That is my advice.
Would the Minister agree that the only way in which this could be effected would be for suppliers to be penalised in a similar way to those who use antibiotics in milk, that if they must pay for their mistakes that will ensure that there are no hormone residues in the cattle they sell, that they would be implanted in animals in sufficient time to be absorbed?
That is the very point of bringing in the order, to ensure that people are penalised if they do implant hormones or use antibiotics in situations in which they should not be used.
5.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he proposes to introduce legislation to control the presence of antibiotic residues in milk.
I will shortly be making regulations to control the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry.
