Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Statutory Instruments.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

401 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposed statutory instruments being prepared in or under the auspices of his Department; the proposed effect of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1092/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

Details are as follows. Statutory instruments being prepared to give effect to EU directives are not included. The information on these is given in reply to Question No. 399 of today.

1. Diseases of Animals (Scrapie) Order, 1998 This order propose to introduce controls in relation to scrapie.

2. Diseases of Animals (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) (Specified Risk Material) (Amendment) Order, 1998 This order will add tonsils to the list of specified risk material which must be removed from animal carcases.

3. Diseases of Animals (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) (Tallow) Order, 1998 This order proposes to introduce controls in relation to the use of tallow.

4. Diseases of Animals (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) (Fertiliser) Order, 1998 This order proposes to introduce a prohibition in relation to the use of mammalian meat and bone meal as a fertiliser.

5. Brucellosis in Cattle (General Provisions) (Amendment) Order, 1998 This will introduce a 30 day premovement test for eligible animals.

6. Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) (Amendment) Order, 1998 This will provide for dead or maimed animals being removed to knackeries, inter alia.

7. European Communities (Definition, Description and Presentation of Aromatized Wines, Aromatized Wine-Based Drinks and Aromatized Wine-Product Cocktails) Regulations, 1998

To confer powers of entry on authorised officers and to provide for penalties for breaches of the provisions of the Council Regulation 1601/91 as amended on the general rules for the above products and as supplemented by the detailed rules contained in Commission Regulation 122/94.

The regulations will also give effect to Regulation No. 3378/94/EC on the prevention of the unlawful use of geographical designations.

8. European Communities (Zootechnical and Genealogical Conditions Applicable to Imports from Third Countries) Regulations, 1998

To give legal effect to Council Directive 94/28/EC and set out the zootechnical and genealogical conditions which must be met when importing pedigree animals, their semen, ova and embryos from third countries.

9. European Communities (Labelling of Beef and Beef Products) Regulations, 1998 The purpose is to implement the beef labelling requirements of European Council Regulation 820/97 as expanded by Commission Regulations 1141/97 and 2406/97.

10. European Communities (Retirement of Farmers) Regulations, 1998 To increase the pensions paid to participants in the farm retirement scheme introduced under EC Directive 72/160 in line with the consumer price index.

11. European Communities (Designations and Standards for Spreadable Fats, Milk and Milk Products) Regulations, 1998 To provide for penalties in the case of breaches of the EU Regulations 1898/87, 2991/94 or 577/97 regarding the labelling of spreadable fat and other dairy products.

12. S.I. to give full effect to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1469/95 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 745/96 on measures to be taken with regard to certain beneficiaries of operations financed by the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.

These EU regulations provide for measures up to and including ‘blacklisting' in relation to traders engaged in serious irregularity in relation to export refunds, intervention sales or tender procedure.