Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 4

Written Answers. - Animal Welfare.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

116 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, where animals are placed in lairages at weekends for slaughter in meat plants on Mondays, it is a breach of welfare regulations; if there is a danger of cruelty; if he is satisfied that Department officers were present in the lairage when delivery was accepted at one plant (details supplied); and the cost to his Department of salary payments to the veterinary inspectorate for weekends and Sundays. [14523/01]

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

Under EU and national regulations governing the welfare of animals lairaged for slaughter, the placing of animals in a lairage at the weekend for Monday slaughter is permitted. There are strict obligations on the owner or person in charge of a slaughterhouse to ensure that the full animal welfare criteria are properly applied during lairaging. These obligations cover such matters as shelter, watering, feeding and rest.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that an officer of the Department was present when these animals arrived at the plant and that all regulatory requirements were met.

The gratuity for weekend attendance by veterinary inspectors at meat plants from 1 April 2001 is as follows: Attendance of four hours or more = £125.62 and attendance of less than four hours = £62.82.