Vol. 542 No. 4
118 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the percentage of the national chicken kill that was handled by a company (details supplied) in each of the past six years; if the closure of this com pany will have an adverse effect on the overall poultry industry in County Monaghan; his plans to finance an alternative company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24782/01]
The percentage of national chicken kill carried out by the company named for the past six years are as follows: 1996 – 17%; 1997 – 16.1%; 1998 – 16.2 %; 1999 – 16.1%; 2000 – 15.3%; and 2001 to July – 13.7%.
Following the closure of the company concerned, which is now in voluntary liquidation, various realignments took place within the industry. Surplus broilers were, to a large extent, dealt with by increased production on the part of other processors. Major efforts were also made by the industry to accommodate other producers who were affected by this company closure.
The question of finance is purely a commercial decision for any prospective purchaser of the plant. My Department has responsibility for monitoring the safety of meat produced in registered premises, for the protection of the consumer and to ensure that the legal food safety standards are fully met and maintained and is not involved in the financing of processing plants. Enterprise Ireland is the State agency responsible for the possible provision of any State funding to this sector and for the application of the conditions attaching to any such funding.
