Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 2

Written Answers. - Illegal Substances Abuse.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

38 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, he intends to take following publication of a recent Consumers Association of Ireland report showing that illegal substances were present in products readily available in Irish butchers' shops; and the number of persons charged and convicted under the Animal Remedies Act, 1993. [6365/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The report to which the Deputy refers was published in the February edition of Consumer Choice, the magazine of the Consumers Association of Ireland. It was based on a survey, funded by the European Commission, carried out by the Belgian Consumers Association. The names of the premises from which meat with illegal substances present was obtained are with my Department and an investigation to ascertain the source of the contaminated meat is in progress.

While I take a very serious view of any abuse of illegal substances, the results of the Consumers Association of Ireland report indicated that Ireland has one of the lowest incidences of abuse of illegal substances in the EU and recognised that Ireland is seriously tackling the problem. These efforts will continue.

It is a matter of serious concern to me that a small minority of beef farmers may be continuing to use illegal substances. My policy in this area is clearcut; where abuse is encountered evidence is gathered, those involved are prosecuted and every means open to me is pursued to have them brought to justice. To this end, a special task force in my Department carries out investigations on farm and at points of distribution of veterinary medicines to detect abuses. In addition, animals presented for slaughter are examined and, where the presence of illegal substances is detected, the meat is declared unfit for human consumption, denatured and destroyed.

The Animal Remedies Act, 1993, provides a modern, flexible framework to tackle the problem of the use of growth promoters effectively. The Act gives extensive powers to authorised officers to enforce the law and also substantially increases the penalties that the courts may impose on offenders.

Three persons have been convicted of criminal offences under the Animal Remedies Act, 1993. A further 25 cases under the Act have been referred to the office of the Chief State Solicitor with a view to instituting legal proceedings and 30 cases are under investigation within my Department.