Vol. 475 No. 6
152 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to recent media reports of salmonella contamination in poultry meat and the consequent loss of markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5553/97]
I presume the Deputy is referring to Irish exports of poultrymeat to Sweden. Exports to Sweden and to other member states of the European Union take place from EU approved premises in respect of which my Department provides a veterinary inspection and certification service. These exports are accompanied by veterinary health certificates in conformity with the relevant Council Directive.
There are specific testing requirements for salmonella for Finland and Sweden and veterinary certificates for exports to these destinations are issued following receipt by the Department of satisfactory salmonella microbiological results. The Swedish authorities have been in contact with my Department regarding consignments exported to Sweden in recent months. These consignments were exported with the appropriate veterinary certification. However, a detailed trace-back on the product involved is being undertaken by my Department.
