Vol. 438 No. 7
143 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in carrying out veterinary inspections for food processing firms; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this delay is causing damage to enterprise and employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to veterinary inspections of food processing premises coming within the scope of the Directives on fresh meat and meat products for the first time.
Delay in completing these inspections is due to the large number of food processing premises involved.
The plants which have not yet been inspected are operating normally. I am not aware that any delay in carrying out inspections has had an adverse effect on output or employment.
