Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Animal Feedstuffs.

John Gormley

Question:

175 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if wheelie bins full of dead dogs were regularly taken from Louth County Council pound, sent to an unlicensed rendering plant and the carcasses ended up in pig and poultry feed; if so, his views on whether this is an acceptable practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23555/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

I have no responsibility for the operation of local authority dog pounds.

According to information supplied to my officials, dog carcasses are brought by a licensed transporter on a regular basis to Monery By-products in County Cavan – an approved rendering plant. All product produced by Monery is disposed of under controlled conditions and is thus prohibited from entering the animal feed chain.