asked the Minister for Agriculture if he proposes to introduce a monitoring system of animal feed rations in view of reports that dubious quality grain substitutes were included.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Animal Feed Rations.
6.
The quality of animal feed rations is monitored on a regular basis by officers of my Department. Samples of feedingstuffs are taken for analysis to ensure that their contents meet statutory requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in prosecution.
(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware that there are cheap types of imported protein being used in some of these rations? Because of the present high price of these rations will the Minister ensure that his departmental officials enforce the regulations more rigorously?
The regulations indicate that anybody selling these rations must have a licence from my Department. If anybody can prove to me that there are irregularities I will have them investigated.
Is the Minister aware that at present there is an alarming increase in the number of animals dying as a result of poor feedstuffs? Is he aware that in my county there is a special meeting of ACOT convened for next Monday to consider what can be done because of poor quality hay, if any, low quality silage, which is also running out, and that as a result of a combination of all of those, the dead animal processing factories are now cluttered with dead animals?
I am aware that there is quite a problem being experienced in this regard vis-à-vis other years on account of not just a bad summer last year but the particularly harsh spring we have had. When the Deputy uses the word feedingstuffs does he intend that to apply to rations? I imagine it is poor quality hay and very poor quality silage in many cases——
And the east wind in February and March.
Would the Minister give the number of samples checked which were not up to standard? What was the percentage in regard to the overall samples checked?
I have not any evidence that there has been any detection of substandard feedingstuffs.
Is the Minister satisfied that present regulations are adequate to control the various mixtures going into meal being compounded by compounders?
Yes, I am satisfied. Officials of my Department visit these premises regularly and take random samples.
Should it not be obligatory to have a description on the contents, of all the different ingredients of these feedingstuffs, both home produced and imported, on the bags or containers? I think legislation was promised in this area. If such descriptions appeared on all the bags and bulk grain then we could ensure they were up to Department of Agriculture standards.
I am aware that at a meeting of the Meath County Executive of the IFA on Monday night last Deputy Farrelly and another Deputy raised queries on this issue. I might say that each provender is obliged to indicate the content of the feedingstuff, how much fibre and how much proteins. He is obliged to do that. Under that regulation the marking should be on the bag. Again, if any specific case is brought to my notice I will have it investigated.
My information so far as imports are concerned is that the contents are not marked on the bags, or the ingredients are not known to purchasers. Surely the Department should do something about it. There are sufficient inspectors to ensure that that is done.
As I have said, the seller is obliged to state in writing what the feedingstuff contains.