The Department has received representations from the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland regarding the cost of delivery of specified risk material to the relevant dedicated rendering plant. Its concerns have come about following the decision at EU level to increase the list of specified risk materials that must be dispatched to such a plant. There is no doubt that the addition of the entire bovine intestine to the list of specified risk materials with effect from 1 January 2001 has had the effect of increasing costs within the industry as a whole. The charges incorporate the costs of transporting, rendering, storing and disposal of the specified risk material. In the absence of a domestic disposal option the cost of these operations are obviously considerably higher than they might be, in view of the need to export. The Department has no reason to believe the charges are exorbitant or unfair in so far as they reflect rendering and disposal costs.
With regard to the transportation of specified risk material, hauliers of specified risk material must be licensed by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Specified Risk Material) Regulations, 2000. At present there are 125 licensed hauliers and the Department will consider any application providing the transporter can meet the requisite standards. Butchers and domestic abattoir owners are licensed under this arrangement. In these circumstances, and given the free access to the haulage market, I see no reason to consult with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
