Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 4

Written Answers. - Common Agricultural Policy Reform.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

115 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to offset the negative impact of the Common Agricultural Policy reform on Irish agriculture with particular reference to the meat and cereal sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I believe that the Common Agricultural Policy reform outcome will have a positive impact for Ireland in overall terms with the compensatory payments more than offsetting the effects of reductions in institutional prices. This has been recognised by all independent commentators. The positive effect will be further enhanced by the recent devaluation of the Irish pound which, besides increasing prices, will also increase the level of all Common Agricultural Policy compensatory payments by about 10 per cent in due course.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

116 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the extent to which the regulations arising from the Abattoir Act, 1987, have been implemented; if the Act has or is being applied throughout the country; if any small operators have been disadvantaged as a result of implementation or lack of implementation of any part of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

117 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the extent to which veterinary officers have been appointed by local authorities in accordance with the Abattoirs Act, 1987; if he intends to take any action to ensure the nationwide application of the Act; if his attention has been drawn to any discrepancies arising from the failure to implement any part of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

118 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number and location of local authorities that have appointed veterinary officers in accordance with the Abattoirs Act, 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 117 and 118 together.

The appointment of veterinary inspectors under the Abattoirs Act, 1988 is a matter for the local authorities. The following local authorities have full-time veterinary inspectors employed:

Local Authorities	No. of full-time Veterinary Inspectors
Carlow	1
Clare*	1
Limerick Corporation
Cork Corporation	2
Cork	5
Dublin Corporation	6
Dublin	2
Galway Corporation*	1
Galway
Keery	1
Limerick	1
Mayo	1
Meath	1
Offaly	1
Tipperary (S.R.)	3
Waterford Corporation	1
Waterford	1
Westmeath	1
Wexford	1
Wicklow	1

*Sharing arrangement.

The Local Appointments Commission has recommended candidates for appointment to other counties and I am communicating with the County Managers concerned with a view to ensuring that their statutory obligations under the Abattoirs Act are complied with.

Regulations governing (a) the construction, operation and licensing of abattoirs; (b) the veterinary examination of animals and meat, and (c) the health marking of meat found fit for human consumption have been introduced under the Act.

The regulations at (a) are being implemented uniformly throughout the country. I am, however, aware of problems caused by the uneven compliance with the provisions relating to (b) and (c) above and I propose to take whatever action is necessary to remedy the matter.