Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 5

Written Answers. - Animal Tests Funding.

John Ellis

Question:

230 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the amount of funding he will provide for the testing of animals for hormones in 1996; the names of the companies that will be funded; and the amount each will receive. [5081/96]

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

A sum of £1.491 million is provided in my Department's Vote for 1996 for veterinary medicines surveillance, which includes the testing of animals and meat for growth promoters. This sum is in addition to the services available from the Department's central meat control laboratory and the State Laboratory.

At the present time three private laboratories are engaged in residue analysis on a contract basis. These are the Irish Equine Centre, the National Food Centre and Enfer Scientific. It is not possible to estimate the amount which will be paid to each for analytical service in 1996 at the present time. This will be determined by the number of samples analysed which will be dependent on the level of abuse detected.