asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the most recent instructions given to his Department's vets in meat factories concerning the random sampling for hormones in beef cattle.
Written Answers. - Cattle Hormone Sampling.
54.
The detailed instructions to the Department's veterinary staff at meat plants regarding the application of Council Directive 86/469/EEC on the presence of residues must, of necessity, remain confidential. The extent of the sampling to be carried out and the procedures to be followed are, however, laid down in accordance with the terms of the Directive and of the European Communities (Control of Oestrogenic, Androgenic, Gestagenic and Thyrostatic Substances) Regulations, 1988.
The overall aim of course, is to provide the basis for guaranteeing the continuity of our valuable meat export trade by ensuring that our exports are free of prohibited residues.