Vol. 470 No. 6
80 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the progress, if any, his Department has made with regard to preparing legislation or regulations on a declaration of ingredients in all animal feedstuffs in view of the increased harvest in Ireland and the excellent feedstuffs available; and the steps, if any, he has taken to encourage an awareness among farmers of the value of home-grown cereals. [19666/96]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 19 and 53 dated 23 May 1996 on the listing of ingredients in animal feedstuffs.
Arising from the BSE crisis I have recently imposed strict controls on the use of meat and bonemeal in animal feedingstuffs. Since 17 October 1996 a licence is required for the purchase of meat and bonemeal or for the incorporation of meat and bonemeal in feed for non-ruminant animals or poultry. The product has, of course, been banned in ruminant feed since 1990.
As regards home-grown cereals, my Department's policy is to increase production to pre CAP level so as to provide adequate supplies of grain to the feed industry at reasonable costs. In this connection I have supported measures at EU level to facilitate the use of eligible land and to reduce the requirement for set-aside.
