Vol. 472 No. 8
126 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that all Irish rendering plants meet the EU standards for time and temperature of heat treatment in the manufacture of meat and bonemeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24249/96]
There are nine rendering plants approved to produce meat and bonemeal in Ireland.
These plants are approved in accordance with the European Communities (Disposal, Processing and Placing on the Market of Animal ByProducts) Regulations 1994. Each of the systems used in these plants has passed a validation test in accordance with EU legislation and is producing meat and bonemeal in accordance with existing EU requirements on time-temperature treatment.
The plants are supervised by the Department and subjected to regular inspection.
