Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Appointment of Veterinary Inspectors.

Michael Finucane

Question:

277 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the local authorities which have appointed veterinary inspectors for the inspection of abattoirs; the scale of fees charged by each authority for such inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19131/96]

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

The following local authorities have appointed veterinary inspectors for the purpose of the Abattoirs Act, 1988:

Carlow County Council

Clare County Council

Cork Corporation

Cork County Council

Donegal County Council

Dublin Corporation

South County Dublin County Council

Fingal County Council

Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council

Galway Corporation

Galway County Council

Kildare County Council

Kerry County Council

Limerick County Council

Meath County Council

Mayo County Council

Offaly County Council

Tipperary SR County Council

Waterford County Council

Westmeath County Council

Wexford County Council

Wicklow County Council.

I am making urgent arrangements to deal with the situation occasioned by the local authorities who have failed to appoint veterinary inspectors as required by the Act.

Inspection fees are laid down by the European Communities (Fees for Health Inspections and Controls of Fresh Meat) Regulations, 1995. The standard rate per head is £3.78 for bovines, £1.03 for pigs and £0.40 for sheep. Local authorities may, however, in lieu of the standard inspection fee levy the licence holder the actual cost of inspection. I am not aware of any local authority who has adopted this course to date.