I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this very important debate. As I represent an urban constituency I will bring into focus in a clear and practical way the concerns of the consumer in this regard. I do not think it can be stated often enough how important the meat industry is to the wellbeing of this country. Many contributors have referred to various aspects of the industry and how it has helped our economy to develop and expand and how this industry in times past has been instrumental in creating a very fine image of our food produce in foreign markets. I compliment the Minister for bringing this legislation forward at this time.
In recent times there was a number of highly publicised seizures of illegal growth promoters and pressure was put on the Minister to respond quickly with legislation. However, I am glad the Minister took his time in bringing together all the important issues that needed to be addressed in legislation rather than taking the more populist approach of rushing through legislation which might contain defects. I compliment the Minister and his officials on bringing forward comprehensive legislation which will make a significant contribution towards dealing with this serious problem in the meat industry.
Other countries frequently refer to their richness in natural resources, particularly mineral wealth. We are entitled to refer to our richness in food production resources. As other speakers indicated, we need to be more aggressive in this regard and to put the Irish name on products as we try to find new markets abroad. We should ensure that these products are of the highest standard, that is what this legislation seeks to address.
I will draw to the attention of the House two incidents that had a very serious effect on food and associated food products. Some years ago a certain imported tinned salmon product became contaminated. Consumers were extremely concerned about this matter and overnight its position on the Irish market was destroyed — I am sure the same happened in other markets abroad. I do not believe that product has ever recovered from such a major setback.
The same applied to a table water from France. The consumer, backed up by investigations into the product, became alarmed at what appeared to be a contaminated product and again the market here for that product was obliterated. At that time similar native products were coming on the market. The Irish producer has held that market since and is also developing export markets. These are practical examples of how the consumer, concerned at what it sees as a contaminated food product, reacts — by simply not buying the product. That is precisely what will happen in the meat industry if we do not come to grips with the illegal use of growth promoters.
Deputy Upton made the point that in his role as a public representative he met a priest who, when this matter was raised with him, told him to mind his own business. Another Deputy asked whether that priest was in the farming industry. If that individual or his parishoners are involved in the cattle industry and continue to use illegal growth promoters neither they nor their families will be in the industry for very long. Those who manufacture, sell and use illegal growth promoters are — I do not say this lightly — terrorists of the worst kind. They know where use of this product will lead, it will damage a most important sector of the economy and destroy the livelihoods of countless families.
Severe penalties must be imposed on those convicted for engaging in this activity. The Bill provides for fairly stiff penalties but I ask the Minister to consider in the future, perhaps on Committee Stage, the seizure of assets of those engaged in this illegal activity. I know there are constitutional difficulties but these matters need to be addressed. Those who engage in this activity should know that their illgotten financial gains will be taken away by the State, that the State will not simply impose a fine or a term of imprisonment. Any individual, manufacturing organisation, distributing group or individual, should suffer the gravest consequences, losing everything they own through the seizure of assets.
In the illicit drug trade, for example, it is generally accepted by experts in the area that the total number of seizures in any one year probably represents about 10 per cent of availability of the illegal drug. If the same criterion was applied to illegal growth promoters one would see there is a great amount of this illegal substance in the country. A number of Deputies brought to the attention of the House information, personal experience and local knowledge of this matter, which proves that we are faced with a grave problem in regard to the use of this product.
We all agree that the continued expansion of the agricultural sector is of vital national importance. The meat industry is one of the most important in that sector. In the past year one of the most talked about events in that industry was the Beef Tribunal. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be happy to hear I will not go into that debate for a variety of reasons, one of which would be brought to my attention, but the reality is that the consumer knows that this industry is in serious trouble. The issue being addressed in this legislation is one more pointer to the consumer who will decide whether to eat meat and meat products.
From time to time there are reports of the seizure of illegal growth promoters. I am not an expert on the distribution of this product but I am told that in some cases it is sold from the backs of vans in public places such as those close to cattle marts. If that is denied I will accept it.
The Bill seeks to address this problem in its widest sense. If it succeeds it will make a major contribution towards reestablishing and enhancing our reputation as a clean producer of stable food and obviously will make its own contribution to the development of this industry, which must be above suspicion when it comes to producing hormone free and antibiotic free meat and meat products.
The consumer will play a significant role in the fight against the use of these substances. The Minister can introduce comprehensive legislation, ensure that it is effectively implemented and that he has the support of the statutory agencies, particularly the Garda, agricultural organisations and farm representative organisations but in the end, to be successful, he will need the support of the consumer. If consumers make it clear that they are becoming increasingly concerned about the reputation of this industry, producers will have to take note if they want to survive and prosper. The effectiveness of the legislation will depend on the Minister's ability to monitor the industry and to provide the necessary resources to make sure that the legislation is effective.
The Bill is in line with the EC Commission approach to food law. The legislation covers food labelling, flavours, additives, solvents and food nutritional use. Section 4 of this Bill requires that animal remedy containers should display the composition of the and should also appear in any advertisements for the remedy. For too long this was not done and the consumer suffered. Section 5 covers labelling, and false expectations are not conveyed. I am glad about this.
The veterinary profession have a major role to play in the implementation of this Bill. They are at the coal face in the production line. They are the profession who oversee the industry from the farm to the retail outlet. In this respect they are to some extent the guardians of the industry. The appointment of veterinary officers as authorised officers is essential. Will the Minister give careful consideration to this suggestion?
With regard to tests and analyses, it is essential to use a quick, reliable test. There is no point in discovering that a sample has proved positive a week after the meat has been distributed and sold. How will the Minister deal with this important aspect of the Bill?
How does the Minister expect to differentiate between natural and synthetic hormones under this Bill? I understand that they are both practically indistinguishable from the chemical point of view. It appears that the Minister is proposing the use of a different test in the event of a court challenge. I hope that when the various organisations involved are successful in bringing suspects before the courts, the case will not be thrown out because of a technical defect in producing the evidence, which would be very embarrassing. I know the Minister has the capacity and tenacity to ensure that this does not happen.
The powers granted to authorised officers might seem to be unconstitutional at first glance in that a search warrant might not be necessary. The reason for this provision is that the relevant material can be destroyed quite easily. If the Garda or other officers of the State wish to act, they must act quickly. The community will be prepared to accept the necessity for swift action and, therefore, will be prepared to go along with what appear to be fairly draconian powers.
Section 14 authorises the Garda to arrest, without warrant, persons suspected of having committed an offence. This too is a fairly draconian measure. We depend on the community to go along with it and not to criticise it.
The Bill is to be applauded. Its contents are wide-ranging and comprehensive. Evidently the Minister and his officials put a great deal of time into drawing up this Bill which will have a major impact on the meat industry. It will enable us to clean up the meat industry and retain the sort of industry of which we can be proud. I wish the Minister well and I call on other elements, in attempting to tackle this serious problem, to cooperate with the Minister, the Department and the Garda on this legislation. If we work together this problem can be successfully tackled.