Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 8

Other Questions. - Illegal Growth Promoters.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

21 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an investigation carried out by his Department found that a mart in south Munster had been selling angel dust over a four year period as alleged in a newspaper article (details supplied); the action, if any, which has been taken as a result of this investigation; the total number of prosecutions initiated and the convictions secured in the past 12 month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19421/97]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

72 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to reports that a less detectable form of illegal growth promoter based on the ingredient oestradiol is currently being used to replace angel dust; the steps, if any, being taken to deal with this new threat to consumer safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19422/97]

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 72 together.

I have seen the press report to which the Deputy refers. While it is my general policy — for reasons I am sure the Deputy can appreciate — not to comment on individual investigations involving my Department, I can state that no such investigation has been carried out; neither has my Department been provided with any information which would be the basis of such an investigation.

During the first ten months of 1997, 57 persons were convicted for offences relating to illegal growth promoters, including clenbuterol; the comparable figure for 1996 was 46. These offences were committed some considerable time ago.

Synthetic derivatives of the natural hormone oestradiol have been found to be used in combination with other substances, such as so-called "hormone cocktails", for illegal growth promotion. This is not a new development. The laboratory services available to the State routinely test for derivatives of oestradiol and a variety of anabolic agents in both tissues taken from animals and in medicinal products found during investigations. In addition, the Government laboratories are in contact with their counterparts in other member states with a view to ensuring the most sensitive testing methods are available. These contacts include the community reference laboratories which have overall responsibility for monitoring trends in the area of residue surveillance.

Based on evidence of the extensive residue testing carried out by my Department, there has been a consistent decline in the use of illegal growth promoters of all sorts. In 1993, slightly over 4 per cent of samples tested were positive; this has declined every year since and in 1996 0.29 per cent of samples tested were positive for illegal growth promoters. Preliminary results for the first nine months of 1997 indicate this trend is continuing — of 64,000 samples tested, 24, or 0.03 per cent, have been positive for the presence of illegal growth promoters. No animals or carcases have tested positive for clenbuterol so far in 1997.

I take this opportunity to reiterate my policy in this area that any person involved in abuses in the area of veterinary medicine will be pursued with the full rigours of the law.

Mr. Gilmore:

Is the Minister of State saying the article in the Sunday Tribune of 19 October is completely untrue? If so, what steps did his Department take to correct the record in view of the very serious nature of the newspaper report that a mart in south Munster was involved in the sale of angel dust? What steps were taken by the Minister or by his Department to correct the record in view of the serious nature of the report, which stated that a mart in south Munster was involved in the sale of angel dust?

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

As the Deputy knows, press reports are press reports. There are several marts in south Munster, and I would be grateful if the Deputy would make me or my Department aware of the mart involved if he has that information. We could then carry out an investigation, but it would be next to impossible to investigate every mart in the area. I accept the newspaper report, but there are several marts there.

Mr. Gilmore:

I am not asking the Minister of State to investigate every mart. I am asking him about a report in the Sunday Tribune of 19 October 1997. The Minister of State stated in his reply that no investigation was taking place and that no information had been made available to his Department on which to base such an investigation. Is he saying that the newspaper report is untrue? That is a straight question and the record should be clear on this matter. If the article is untrue and no investigation took place in the Department, has the Department written to the Sunday Tribune since 19 October or contacted that newspaper in any other way to correct the record? This is a very serious report and must be causing considerable worry to the management and directors of the many marts in south Munster to which the Minister of State referred. He has not replied to this question.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

There are ongoing investigations within my Department at all times. It is very vigilant in the area of investigations into animals and plants. These are carried out under the Animal Remedies Act, 1993, which provides a comprehensive basis for the regulation of agricultural and animal remedies. The Act provides that all animal remedies require specific individual authorisation and any remedy not so authorised is deemed to be prohibited, as is any animal remedy which is not used according to its authorisation. The powers are enforced under national and European provisions to prevent the use of growth promoters and concentrates in three key areas: supply and distribution, use on farms and place of detention and slaughter, or, in the case of live exports, port of embarkation.

Investigating officers have extensive powers. They may enter and search lands, vehicles and premises, including meat processing plants, to take samples of any animal or substance to test for illegal substances. They may retain any animal, plant or machine. They may seize documents or any other evidence which may relate to a suspected offence, and they may require persons to give information relating to documents, animals or other matters. They may search persons and seize any evidence found. The Garda may arrest persons suspected of an offence without warrant. Animals found to have been treated with illegal substances are deemed unfit for human consumption. Such animals are permanently branded and are not allowed into the food chain. Carcases obtained at point of slaughter are denatured and destroyed.

Mr. Gilmore:

I do not know which question the Minister for State has answered, but it is not the question I asked. For the third time, the article in the Sunday Tribune stated that a mart in south Munster was selling angel dust and that the Department of Agriculture and Food was investigating it. Is that article true or false? If it is false, has the Department taken any steps to correct the record? This is my third time to ask a straightforward and simple question, and I would like a straightforward and simple answer.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

There is no investigation taking place into any mart in south Munster. We are aware of the press report.

Mr. Gilmore:

I am sure the Department is aware of the report. Is anything being done about it? Is the report being investigated? Has it been corrected? It is a serious report and I expect the Minister and his Department to take steps to correct the story if it is untrue or investigate if there is a basis to it.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

There are several marts in South Munster.

Mr. Gilmore:

I know.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

Will Deputy Gilmore identify the mart in south Munster to which the article refers?

Mr. Gilmore:

Has the Minister done anything about the article?

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

We are aware of the article. There was an obligation on the Deputy to inform me as he had tabled this question.

Mr. Gilmore:

The Minister says no investigation is taking place. If this is the case, has his Department informed the Sunday Tribune or asked it to correct the report? Has his Department taken any action on this report?

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

There is ongoing investigation into all press reports of that nature.

Mr. Gilmore:

Does that mean there is an investigation into the report?

Mr. Kenny:

That is a four-marker.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe:

There is ongoing investigation into all reports in the press about illegal substances or any related matters.

Mr. Farrelly:

Is Columbo gone to investigate?

(Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.)