Written Answers. - Clenbuterol Usage.
Paul Connaughton
Question:
29
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
if he has satisfied himself with the new test procedures to detect angel dust substances in cattle carcasses; if he has further satisfied himself that such test procedures are sufficiently sensitive to identify if such animals have been fed angel dust substances at any stage during their lives; if the new test is more likely to be positive when such substances are fed nearer to slaughter; the cost of the testing procedures; the person who will be responsible for the payment of the costs of such tests; if such tests are being carried out at all beef processing outlets at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the pilot project which has been undertaken in his Department.
[3041/95]
The new test to which the Deputy refers is a rapid immunoassay screening system developed by an Irish company. The system has been used by my Department for detecting residues of clenbuterol in beef carcases at major slaughtering plants since November 1993 and is continuing. The scientific advice available to me supports the view that the system provides a screening test sufficiently sensitive to indicate whether or not animals contain residues of clenbuterol.I am confident that the widespread use of the system, with the other analytical facilities available to my Department, has had a deterrent effect on the small minority of unscrupulous farmers who use clenbuterol.
As with all chemical substances used in stock rearing, clenbuterol is metabolised by the animals. Accordingly, all tests, including the test to which the Deputy refers, are more likely to detect residues if the substance is administered to animals nearer to slaughter. The Deputy should be aware that the growth-promoting effect of clenbuterol is substantially reversed if abusers are forced to adopt longer withdrawal periods.Longer withdrawal periods have the dual effect of miniminising residues in animals, thus lowering the risk to public health, and lessening the financial benefit to abusers.
The system was introduced as a pilot project to test it under field conditions. This phase was jointly financed by the European Commission and my Department and took place between November 1993 and March 1994. A final report on the pilot project has been submitted and is at present being assessed by the Commission of the European Union.
Overall, since its introduction in 1993, over 135,000 samples have been taken at different meat plants and analysed using the system at a cost of £1.182 million.My Department is currently in the process of inviting tenders for a further round of residue surveillance; it is hoped that this will commence in May 1995. The costs of the system are being met from my Department's Vote.
The system is being extended to test for hormonal growth promoters and is currently being used in a programme of sampling and analysis for residues of both clenbuterol and hormonal growth promoters at meat plants within the State. This contract commenced during November 1994. This programme represents an advance in the system which to date concentrated on detecting residues of clenbuterol only.
Consumers are entitled to good quality beef free of residues. The use of the system means that this country is in a position to show our customers that Irish beef is subjected to a higher level of residue surveillance than in any other member state.
Legal proceedings are instituted in cases where evidence is uncovered of abuse of growth promoters at farm level. There are currently 97 cases before the courts or with the Chief State Solicitor for institution of criminal proceedings involving alleged offences related to growth promoters.
My message to this House and to consumers is clear and unequivocal — Irish beef is a high quality product and the small minority who abuse illegal growth promoters are being and will be prosecuted with the full rigours of the law.
