Vol. 505 No. 3
29 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to stop the feeding of meat and bone animal meal to pigs in view of the fact that one of the requirements of our major export market, the United Kingdom, is the non-use of meat and bone meal in pigs' diets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13592/99]
The production of meat and bone meal here for feeding to non-ruminant animals is undertaken in accordance with comprehensive control arrangements which are based on scientific recommendations. Specified risk material is excluded from this process and the remaining material is rendered in accordance with EU parameters in approved plants which are under departmental supervision and which must meet specified conditions.
Pigs which have been fed meat and bone meal and product therefrom can be traded on the EU Single Market provided they meet animal health conditions laid down in European legislation. As the trade in pigs which have been fed meat and bone meal is legal and there is no scientific basis for imposing such a ban, it is therefore a matter for individual producers and exporters to make decisions in regard to such trade. The ban in the UK on the feeding of meat and bone meal to any species was introduced in 1996 in response to the high incidence of BSE in that country and remains in place.
This is a general question to which the Minister of State might not have an answer. Is there much meat and bonemeal in the rations being fed to pigs?
My Department licences compounders. We have a number of designated compounders who are mixing specialised plans which are fed only to the pigmeat and poultry industries. They are licensed. I do not have the exact number but we can send that information to the Deputy if he so requires.
Are they monitored and inspected on a regular basis?
There is monitoring and inspection by the inspectorate of the Department of Agriculture and Food, for which we have responsibility. No stone is left unturned to ensure all procedures and disciplines are in place.
What is the Minister of State's opinion of the amount of meat and bonemeal stored around the country? What is his and his Department's long-term view on what should be done with the meat and bonemeal that is accumulating at an alarming rate and is stored all around the country? How will we dispose of it in the future?
I do not want to be unfair to the Deputy but I think that issue is outside the remit of the question. I do not have the exact information—
Does the Minister of State not have a view on it?
The Minister of State, without interruption.
That is not part of the question that was asked.
