Vol. 486 No. 1
406 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to assist private abattoirs to modernise facilities in line with regulations set down by his Department in accordance with EU requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1224/98]
I received a submission from and met with representatives of the small abattoir group of the Irish Butchers Association in relation to amendments to the Abattoirs Act, 1988 (Abattoirs) Regulations, 1989. These amendments which arose out of the requirement to fully implement Council Directive 91/497 EEC and Council Directive 95/23/EC are now in place and come into effect on 4 February. It has not been possible to provide financial aid in this particular context from the resources available to my Department.
Officials of my Department subsequently met with the association to discuss the amendments. Detailed clarification was provided about the standards required and the procedure arrangements which are being put in place to address the particular concerns of small abattoirs.
