Vol. 407 No. 3
19 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the steps he is taking to offset the adverse publicity in the British media regarding the alleged use of angel dust and growth promoters in cattle produced in this country in view of the potential damage to our beef industry if such publicity were allowed go unanswered.
62 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether he recently met with executives of meat processing firms to discuss the use of the illegal growth enhancer angel dust; if so, if he will outline the matters discussed at the meeting and any conclusions reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 19 and 62 together.
My attitude to the use of illegal substances in livestock production is well known and I am committed to take the most rigorous action against any irresponsible and unrepresentative elements who would attempt to supply, use or encourage the use of these substances. It is essential that a country such as Ireland, should be able to give consumers at home and abroad the assurances, they so rightly demand, that the meat they purchase is pure and wholesome.
I have introduced stringent legislative and enforcement measures to detect and deal with any abuses in this area. Our regulations provide for a total prohibition on the manufacture, importation, sale, possession and use of illegal substances. Approximately 400 authorised officers of my Department have extensive powers to search, examine and sample for evidence of possession, trade in or use of illegal substances. Where appropriate, members of the Garda Síochána and officers of Customs and Excise are similarly authorised. Veterinary examiners at slaughtering facilities are empowered, on suspicion, to detain, examine and sample any animal or meat and, if the use of illegal substances is confirmed, to condemn such animals or meat. Farmers supplying illegally treated animals are subject to special investigation which includes locking up and testing of their herds.
Because of my determination that any drift towards the use of illegal growth promoters be counteracted and stopped, I launched an intensive campaign at farm level last November and established a special team of officers to carry out these duties. I have met this issue head on and tackled the matter in the most effective way possible by focusing on the administration stage where a urine test will give a definitive result. All this activity will result in prosecution of a number of people for possession of or use of these substances. Farmers and distributors are being left in no doubt as to my determination to protect the welfare of consumers and the reputation of our beef industry. Regrettably, certain media elements have chosen to misrepresent this vigorous pre-emptive action by distorted presentations.
My Department's staff at our Embassy in London react to adverse media attention by contacting the editors of the publications involved with a view to having such unsupported allegations retracted. Where appropriate, letters have issued to editors for publication in the journals involved. In addition CBF have been fully briefed as to the factual position on the use of illegal substances and the measures being taken to counteract such abuse in order that the necessary assurances can be given to customers.
I can confirm that I met privately farmer representatives and representatives of the meat industry for an exchange of views on matters of mutual interest including, inter alia, the issue of illegal use of growth promoters. I have underlined my determination to stamp out any abuses and have been assured of the full support of the industry in this.
Finally, I have notified the Commission of the European Communities of the strict controls I have put in place and have requested the introduction of similar controls throughout the Community on a harmonised basis.
Will the Minister agree that, unfortunately, the measures he has taken have not been satisfactory? There is no evidence to indicate that there has been any reduction in the use of this chemical which changes fat into lean meat and the Irish beef industry is seriously threatened because of the abuse by some individuals. Will the Minister bring in measures which will make it nonviable for people to use angel dust? Will the Minister introduce a mandatory jail sentence — I know there is a threat of a jail sentence but nobody has been brought before the courts yet to answer a charge in this regard — to protect the industry? Our image abroad is seriously suffering. I have refrained from commenting on the matter up to now——
I appeal for brevity.
There is a major problem — which may be increasing rather than decreasing — and drastic action is needed to solve it.
The only satisfactory outcome will be when a handful of disgracefully unrepresentative and irresponsible individuals stop using this insidious substance which puts our whole beef industry at risk and, therefore, our economy. Pending that, let me assure the Deputy — I have made this very clear— that imprisonment, and/or fines and, if necessary, increased levels of imprisonment and fines will certainly be considered by me. However, as the Deputy knows, I do not have the right to demand mandatory jail sentences as that is always at the discretion of the courts. I assure the Deputy that, in presenting such evidence as the courts would require to help them assess the sentences they should impose, they will have a very full picture from officials of my Department, and others, as to the damage being done to our economy by these treacherous, unrepresentative people. I want to get the message across that the standards we have put in place are the most stringent in the European Community. As Minister, I have put these standards in place on behalf of the Government and I want to see the same standards in other member states because that is the best guarantee to the consumers.
The time has come to deal with other questions to the same Minister.
