Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.

Austin Deasy

Question:

114 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that poultry fed with meat and bonemeal rations in European countries such as Belgium, France and Holland are safe for human consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9569/00]

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

The European Commission has laid down harmonised rules governing the veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable to intra-community trade in live animals, including poultry, and animal products, including poultry products. These rules require a range of such checks to be carried out and also provide for the imposition of restrictions on or the banning of intra-community trade in particular animal products when this is considered necessary for the protection of public health. Last year's Belgian dioxin scare is a case in point where trade in a wide range of animal products from Belgium, including poultry products, was banned.

The Standing Veterinary Committee of the European Commission, which is chaired by the Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection, and in which experts from my Department participate, constantly monitors events in member states and third countries, such as disease outbreaks or contamination of food or feedstuffs, which are likely to have implications for public health. This committee was instrumental in imposing the ban on Belgian products during the dioxin crisis and has also been involved in the decisions to lift restrictions as the risks diminished. No restrictions on trade have been imposed arising from the feeding of meat and bonemeal to poultry in any member state of the European Union.

I am satisfied that the framework of veterinary checks provided for by harmonised Commission rules, the implementation of those rules by my Department and the veterinary services of other member states, together with the constant programme of monitoring and review of public health risks provided for under the aegis of the Standing Veterinary Committee, have and will continue to prove effective in ensuring that animal products imported from other member states, including those referred to by the Deputy, are fit for human consumption.