I have been informed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, who have responsibility for awarding the ISO 9000 quality managements standard, that to date 247 firms have been accredited with this standard and that 118 applications are pending. During the past 18 months there has been an increasing interest in ISO 9000 by the food processing sector where 31 firms have been accredited and 20 applications are pending. As well as that, 70 food firms have the Irish Quality Association "Q" mark symbol. As regards the beef sector there are already in existence strict requirements under the Abattoirs Act, 1988 and EC legislation for the inspection of all meat intended for human consumption. In addition, I am glad to say that only last week the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy O'Kennedy, launched a new comprehensive quality assurance scheme introduced by CBF for the best of Irish beef; this will involve all engaged in the industry from the farmer right through to the retail end of the food chain. I am confident that this scheme will be of great value to the beef industry in their preparation for the EC market of 1992 and beyond. I would hope that in addition firms in the beef industry would now also seek and obtain the ISO 9000 standard.
