Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Traceability of Meat.

John Bruton

Question:

167 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to establish a task force to co-ordinate the work of local abattoirs to ensure that the issue of traceability of meat is completely dealt with; the position of local abattoirs which remain open; his views on the excessive animal movement which has contributed to the spread of foot and mouth disease, BSE and tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9688/01]

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

I recently received a submission from the Association of Craft Butchers' of Ireland which, inter alia, seeks to have a task force established to co-ordinate resources of state agencies to support and develop domestic abattoirs. That submission is currently being examined within my Department.

On the issue of traceability, my Department's CMMS database ensures that only animals whose origin and identification can be clearly vouched for are allowed into the food chain. Furthermore, EU regulations on compulsory beef labelling of beef at all stages of production and marketing up to the final point of sale were introduced last September. I am satisfied that these measures provide consumers both here and abroad with traceability guarantees regarding Irish beef. With regard to sheep, it has been my policy to extend the traceability system to include that sector. While there has been reluctance within the sector to this, recent events have highlighted the need for it and it is my intention to have a system in place in the very near future.

The situation regarding abattoirs generally is that, under EU regulations, those slaughtering more than 1,000 livestock units per annum must comply with the requirements of the European Communities (Fresh Meat) Regulations 1997. Small abattoirs with a throughput of less than 1,000 livestock units per annum are derogated from certain requirements of these regulations provided they are licensed and operated in accordance with the requirements of the Abattoirs Act, 1988. These small abattoirs are, however, required to achieve minimum standards regarding, hygiene, animal welfare and the environment. I fully acknowledge the important role played by domestic abattoirs within the wider food sector and this has been reflected in the approach taken by my Department to establishments that have demonstrated a willingness to comply with the regulations. However, given that consumer protection must be our absolute priority, my Department has no option but to refuse to license those premises which are not prepared to achieve the minimum standard required.

For the purposes of financial aid, abattoirs fall within the ambit of the processing and marketing provisions of the EU guidelines for State aid in the agricultural sector. One such provision stipulates that aid may only be granted to enterprises that comply with existing minimum standards. Therefore, while it is not possible, nor would it be appropriate, to provide funding to achieve minimum hygiene standards, possibilities do exist for financial aid in circumstances which involve rationalisation, research and development, human resources, training, etc. These possibilities have been discussed with the ACBI and that association was invited some time ago to submit proposals for financial assistance in line with these criteria.

On the question of animal movement, I have noted in some quarters the suggestion that the closure of small abattoirs and the consequential additional animal movement to larger export plants has been a contributory factor in the spread of foot and mouth disease in the UK. It has not been established that this has been a direct factor in the introduction of the disease to this island. In circumstances where the disease is present in the State, any movement of animals presents a risk. However, we have, in Ireland, taken appropriate precautions since the confirmation of the first foot and mouth disease outbreak in Great Britain to prohibit the movement of susceptible species, except under permit. To date such permits are issued only when the animals in question are moving directly to slaughter or, in certain exceptional circumstances, most notably for welfare reasons. In County Louth, permits are not being issued and animals are being moved for depopulation purposes only.

On a more general note, animal movement will continue to be a feature of Irish agriculture for the foreseeable future, and for so long as we continue to export beef, movements to a relatively small number of large export premises will still be required. In these circumstances it is essential that the suitable arrangements are in place for animal identification and traceability and I have already described the arrangements I am making in that regard.