asked the Minister for Agriculture the present position with regard to the implementation of the hormone regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hormone Regulations.
9.
The regulations introduced on 1 November 1985 restrict the sale and use of hormones and make it an offence to slaughter livestock or to offer livestock or meat for sale which contain residues. Veterinary inspectors of my Department enforce the regulations and their powers to examine meat and to take samples for residue testing have been extended for this purpose. Such testing of meat is now being undertaken on a regular basis at the new meat testing laboratory at Abbotstown. A number of infringements of the regulations have been investigated and appropriate action has been taken in each case.
(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware that the regulations are not being positively enforced and that the number of personnel in the Department is not enough to enforce the regulations?
The regulations were introduced only recently and it may be that the personnel are not as numerous as we would wish, but if the Deputy knows of any specific cases where action has not been taken, I will have them investigated immediately.
When will legislation to ban the use of hormones be introduced? Will the Minister tell the House the problems that will arise because of cross-Border sales since the British authorities will not be introducing this ban?
The ban on meat which has been treated at some stage with hormones or growth promoters will come into effect on 1 January 1988, in this country and all other EC countries, with the exception of Britain and Northern Ireland who have got a derogation for a further year, to 1 January 1989. I will not be introducing legislation to prohibit the sale or use of hormones other than for therapeutic purposes. However, I will be bringing in regulations within the next few weeks, I hope within the next month, to prohibit the sale of hormones of growth promoters for use in animals.
For clarification, the Minister appeared to be contradicting himself. He said he would be introducing legislation other than for therapeutic reasons. Surely he will be introducing legislation to ban the sale of hormones, except for therapeutic reasons?
No. I will not be introducing legislation but I will be bringing in regulations for other than therapeutic purposes.
Will the fact that the British have an extra year under the EC agreement cause problems with cross-Border sales, or smuggling?
It is bound to cause problems. Obviously smuggling is a way of life in that locality. The use of hormones in Northern Ireland and Britain will cause problems but it will also give us a major advantage because we will be able to sell our meat, advertising it as fresh, pure and free from growth promoters or hormonal residues. I think the advantage might well outweigh the difficulties.
We hope so.
Would the Minister agree that if a certain time elapses between implants and slaughter there will be no obvious effects and that this will seriously affect winter beef breeders here?
It will reduce the weight of animals by as much as 20 per cent in some cases. The fact is if we did not go along with the ban we would not be able to sell our beef in Europe and we were told that clearly by the other countries. We were between the devil and the deep blue sea.
We did not have much of an option but we decided to go along with the ban. If we do our marketing properly, this could work in our favour.