Vol. 482 No. 7
77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 6 November 1997 whether he has satisfied himself that his Department carries out sufficient checks to verify the authenticity of food products on sale in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19225/97]
I am satisfied that my Department carries out sufficient inspectors to ensure the bona fides of those foodstuffs for which it has statutory responsibility.
My Department implements some 62 pieces of legislation dealing with food safety and quality. Under that legislation various control functions including regular inspections and sampling which encompass meat, dairy products, veterinary medicines, zoonotic diseases, beef classification, pesticide control and the application of quality standards in the dairy produce, poultry and eggs, fruit and vegetables and animal feed areas, are carried out. In addition, analytical and related activities are provided by the Department's various laboratories.
As regards imported meat and meat products, the subject of Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 6 November 1997, extensive and widespread checks have been carried out by officers from my Department with the support of the Garda and Customs authorities on vehicles carrying animals and food products both at the Border with Northern Ireland and at the main ports. Veterinary inspectors of my Department also carry out regular inspections of premises and establishments to ensure that the import regulations are being complied with.
In addition, under the European Communities (Trade in Animals and Animal Products) Regulations, 1994 (S. I. No. 289 of 1994) all importers of animal products are required to be registered by my Department and a register of importers is maintained by my Department. Under the same regulations, importers are required to provide 24 hours advance notice in writing of the details of every consignment intended for importation and a record is kept of the origin and type of product, intended destination, etc., of each consignment notified.
It is the policy of my Department to investigate any person or company suspected of flouting the import regulations and to institute legal proceedings against those who are subsequently found to be in breach of those regulations. If the Deputy has any doubt about the authenticity of a particular product on sale here he should provide details to my Department where the matter will be fully investigated.
