Vol. 522 No. 3
125 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the fact that sheepmeat, containing brain and spinal cord, was discovered in two shops in Dublin by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; his further views on whether sufficient staff are in place in the authority to ensure that all such meats do not come on the retail market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17775/00]
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is currently undertaking an audit of compliance with the specified risk material regulations in abattoirs and meat retail premises in association with the veterinary services of the local authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Under current regulations, SRM is excluded from cattle and sheep carcases at the abattoir. With regard to sheep, all spleens and the brain and spinal cord from sheep over one year of age are classified as SRM. The product found in the two shops in Dublin was a number of adult sheep carcases which had not been split, a process whereby the sheep carcase is cut in two using a saw and the spinal cord is removed by knife or a similar instrument designed specifically for the purpose. The spinal cord was still in situ in these carcases. These carcases were condemned, the spinal cords removed and sent for special treatment, and the rest of the carcases sent for rendering.
Under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998, the authority may engage in a service contract with the official agency which, prior to the FSAI's establishment, had been responsible for the enforcement of particular food legislation. In the case of veterinary controlled products, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is the responsible official agency and it now acts as an agent of the FSAI in the enforcement of legislation. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is obliged to provide the appropriate resources to fulfil its service contract obligations. This Department has negotiated with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development for an additional £2.3 million for the strengthening of food safety controls in small abattoirs and meat plants during 2000.
