Vol. 475 No. 1
280 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of orders signed by him in the past 12 months in respect of the incorporation of meat and bone meal in animal feeds; the dates on which they were signed; the implications of such measures for the animal feed industry; and the precise reason for making further orders. [4557/97]
Four orders have been signed by me within the last 12 months in relation to the incorporation of meat and bonemeal in animal feeds. The dates on which they were signed and the main implications for the animal feed industry are as follows:
(1) Diseases of Animals (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) (No. 2) Order, 1996
Date of signature: 20 September 1996
This order prohibits the following activities except in accordance with a licence issued by my Department—
(a) the manufacture of meat and bonemeal;
(b) the purchase of meat and bonemeal;
(c) the holding of meat and bonemeal or any feed in which meat and bonemeal has been incorporated on any land or premises used for or in connection with the manufacture of animal feeds or on which ruminant animals are held, kept or handled; or
(d) the incorporation of meat and bonemeal into any animal feed intended for feeding to non-ruminant animals or poultry.
(2) Diseases of Animals (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) (No. 3) Order, 1996
Date of signature: 20 December 1996.
This order requires, subject to certain exceptions, animals feeds intended for feeding to non-ruminant animals or poultry which contain meat and bonemeal to be appropriately labelled or packaged.
(3) Diseases of Animals (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) (Amendment) Order, 1997
Date of signature: 12 February 1997
By virtue of this order, any person who—
(a) incorporates poultry offal into any animal feed, or
