Deputy John Browne gave me notice of his intention to raise the matter of the failure of the Minister for Agriculture and Food to implement the regulations covering the Abattoirs Act, as promised in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 17 May last, thus depriving county councils of the legal power to collect fees for the work of veterinary inspectors.
Adjournment Debate. - Abattoirs Act Regulations.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Last April, I discovered that Carlow County Council, as they were compelled to, appointed a veterinary inspector under the Abattoirs Act and did not have the power to collect fees although the inspector was to be paid out of the fees collected. On 17 May, I put down a question to the Minister asking him when he would introduce regulations under the Abattoirs Act. He stated in reply:
Regulations laying down requirements for the construction, equipping, operation and management of abattoirs came into operation on 22 June 1989. The provision of the Act relating to the licensing of abattoirs and the recruitment of local authority veterinary inspectors came into operation on 1 September 1989. Further regulations on health marks and on veterinary examination are at present being finalised and are expected to come into operation in the near future.
I was taken by surprise at our estimates meeting last week when the county manager highlighted a deficit of £28,000 arising out of the fact that we had appointed the veterinary inspector in accordance with the Act. He informed us that he could not collect any fees. On discovering this I managed to get the reply that despite several efforts on the part of the managers they could not get the regulations implemented. "Oxymoron" is a word I have used here on one or two occasions but we seem to come across contradictions all over the place. Is it not amazing that the Minister has brought in provisions to compel county councillors to appoint veterinary inspectors while at the same time he forgot to bring in regulations which would allow the county councils to collect fees?
I have the utmost respect for the manager's association and I am quite sure that they are not misinterpreting anything. We have set aside £30,000 to cover the cost next year and if the county councils are not allowed to collect fees we will find ourselves in debt. It so happens we have fought over a 1 per cent increase in rates and argued during the course of two meetings over a cut of 1 per cent. In our case this could represent an increase of 2 per cent in rates if we cannot get our hands on the money. I do not see any point in asking the Minister to give me a guarantee that he will refund the £28,000 as I am sure other county councils find themselves in the same position. However, I certainly want to know where we will stand next year. I ask him not to abuse the English language and use terms such as "they will be introduced in the near future", "shortly", "soon" or "before long". I would like the Minister to give me a date on which these regulations will come into effect as there is no point doing any long term planning if these regulations are not brought into effect. I look forward to hearing his reply.
First, I thank Deputy Browne for highlighting this matter and bringing it to the attention of the House. The Abattoirs Act, 1988 provides for standards of veterinary control and hygiene at local abattoirs supplying the home market which will be on a par to those applying at export plants in order to ensure that consumers can be assured of a quality product.
Under the Act each premises is required to undergo annual inspection and licensing by the Department of Agriculture and Food. Since 1 September 1989 the regulations under the Act laying down the requirements for the construction and operation of the abattoirs supplying the domestic market have been operational. The day to day operation of licensed abattoirs will be under the direct control and supervision of the local authority veterinary inspectorate who will undertake ante and post-mortem examinations to establish the fitness of meat for human consumption and to apply the health mark.
Part V of the Abattoirs Act, 1988, which provides for the collection of fees by local authorities in respect of veterinary examination of animals in domestic abattoirs, cannot be implemented until the Veterinary Examination and Health Mark Regulations are finalised.
The veterinary examination regulations will specify the ante-mortem examination of animals for slaughter and post-mortem examination of carcases and offals to be carried out by veterinary inspectors. They lay down the test methods, standards and requirements for determining the fitness of meat for human consumption.
The health mark regulations provide for the stamping of meat found fit for human consumption. This will enable identification of meat which passed veterinary examination and will also identify the abattoir where the meat was produced. Until these regulations are introduced there is no basis for the charging of fees by local authorities.
I now turn to the nub of the issue. The delay in the introduction of these regulations is regretted. It is due to the complexities of the regulations which are by their nature extremely detailed and technical. They are receiving priority at present and I hope to introduce them in the near future. By highlighting this matter the Deputy has helped expedite the regulations.