asked the Minister for Agriculture when regulations will be introduced to license all pork butchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
148.
Written Answers. - Control of Slaughterhouses.
144.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if unofficial slaughtering of pigs, which does not conform to EC standards and does not incur veterinary levies is taking place in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 148 together. The licensing and supervision of local slaughterhouses, including those slaughtering pigs, is the responsibility of local authorities. These slaughterhouses do not have to conform to EC standards as they are not engaged in Intra-Community trade. The charging of veterinary inspection fees in respect of animals slaughtered at such premises is a matter for individual local authorities.
The Government have decided that legislation should be introduced to apply standards of veterinary control and hygiene at local slaughterhouses which will be on a par with the standards applying at meat export plants. Preparatory work on this legislation is at an advanced stage. Detailed heads of a Bill have now been circulated to other Departments concerned and I hope to introduce the Bill in the next Dáil session. Under the new proposals it is intended that all local slaughterhouses will be licensed by my Department and that local authorities will be required to apply strict veterinary inspection of all slaughterings and to charge fees to meet the cost of such inspection.