Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegal Growth Promoters Usage.

Liz McManus

Question:

5 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the circumstances of the seizure of a large number of cattle from farms in the north Leinster area in recent weeks, which were reported to have been contaminated by illegal growth promoters; the type of growth promoters involved; the total number of cattle seized; the estimated value of the animals; the number of farms from which cattle were seized; the way in which cattle seized in this manner are disposed of; the steps, if any, that are being taken as a result of the seizures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. O'Shea

The Animal Remedies Act, 1993, provides for the restriction of herds where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that illegal substances have been used.

The reports to which the Deputy refers relate to findings in the course of the ongoing application of surveillance measures to detect the use of illegal substances. Illegal growth promoters were found in the course of inspection on a number of farms. The farms in question were immediately placed under restriction and animals were tested. Analyses revealed the presence of illegal substances in a number of animals on one of the farms which remains under restriction. No animals have been seized.

Measures are being taken to ensure that illegally treated animals are excluded from the human food chain. Files in relation to the findings of illegal substances and the illegal use of the substances are being referred to the Chief State Solicitor and the Director of Public Prosecutions. As these cases will be the subject of criminal proceedings, I am not in a position to discuss details.

Ms McManus

Will the Minister agree that a very effective way of preventing this practice would be to name people who used illegal substances on their animals? While commending the fact that the detection system operating within meat plants has resulted, at least in this instance, in identifying cases where illegal substances have been used, will the Minister say when he intends to implement that kind of testing on all carcases in meat plants?

Mr. O'Shea

Obviously I am restricted in what I can say here but, to disclose people's names ahead of proceedings, would not be normal practice.

Ms McManus

It would be very effective.

Mr. O'Shea

We must operate within the law, that is the point I am making. The Deputy, I think, referred to the ENFER system, a pilot project which has been undertaken. Obviously it has to be reviewed from the point of view of effectiveness and so on. The bottom line from the Department's point of view is to provide an absolute guarantee to consumers. In that context we will review the ENFER pilot project but at this stage it would be premature to make any predictions.

Ms McManus

It does not make sense when we have an Animal Remedies Act, which was introduced because of a major problem in the State, that we now have an open-ended response as regards detecting the use of illegal substances. It is not as if the Act came into force yesterday. It has been in place since last October and we now have a pilot scheme which presumably the Department has had an opportunity to assess. Is the Minister saying he does not know when he will introduce the full testing system for carcases?

Mr. O'Shea

There are procedures in place for the implementation of the Act. This morning two people in the north-west were handed down considerable jail sentences on conviction in relation to this area. It would be premature to speak in terms of the effectiveness or otherwise of the ENFER test. We have to examine the results of the pilot test which was funded by the Commission. In general terms our level of testing is way above the average in the Community. The ENFER test is a pilot project with a particular type of process. We have to review the pilot test and see whether it will be the most relevant and useful instrument for the removal of these substances from production.

Ms McManus

Will the Minister name the two individuals who have been penalised? The names of people who do not pay their taxes appear in the media and it has a certain effect, even if limited. We have to deal with this in a realistic fashion.

Mr. O'Shea

The Deputy misunderstands the process. When a conviction is obtained in open court the names of those convicted is a matter of public record. I do not have the names of the individuals concerned but I am sure they will be available to the Deputy through the media, as they will be to me. If the Deputy wishes I can convey that information to her later this evening.