Vol. 430 No. 2
212 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if it is proposed to introduce amendments to the Milk and Dairies Acts, 1935 and 1956, as promised by him in Dáil Éireann on 9 July 1992; and if so, the purpose of the amendments he has in mind.
213 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if it is proposed to introduce amendments to the Dairy Produce Act, as promised by him in Dáil Éireann on 9 July 1992; and if so, the nature of the amendments that he has in mind.
214 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if it is proposed to introduce amendments to the Creameries Acts, 1924-1928 as promised by him on 9 July 1992 in Dáil Éireann; and if so, the purpose of the proposed amendments he has in mind.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 213, 214 together.
The proposed amendments to the Milk and Dairies Acts 1935 to 1955, the Dairy Produce Act, 1924, and the Creamery Act, 1928, are necessary to take account of commercial and technological developments in the dairy sector over the past number of years. These Acts also require amendments in the light of the adoption last June of Directive 92/46/EEC on the harmonisation of EC dairy hygiene and milk quality standards. This directive, which is far reaching and comprehensive and affects all aspects of the dairy industry, is due to come into force on 1 January 1994 and the immediate task must, therefore, be to implement it at national level by having relevant Regulations in place by the end of this year. While a considerable amount of work has been done already towards up-dating and revising our national dairy legislation, it is necessary, before proceeding further with this task, to consider the implications for that legislation of the EC Directive.
