Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Investigations.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

62 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department has conducted a thorough investigation into a recently reported case of a complaint against an Irish meat plant which breached EU regulations on BSE by exporting meat containing specified risk material to Britain; the outcome of the investigation; the action he has taken to prevent a recurrence of this incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4965/02]

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

On 10 December 2001 a complaint was received from the UK Food Standards Agency that a consignment of beef exported from a meat processor contained small amounts of vertebral column attached to the meat, in contravention of EU specified risk material rules. A thorough investigation was carried out by my Department and it was concluded that, while EU requirements were observed, a minor technical breach of UK internal rules had taken place.

The meat was derived from young animals under 30 months of age and was consigned to a designated cutting plant. There was no risk to the consumer. Enhanced checks have been put in place at meat plants to ensure full compliance with EU and UK requirements for products destined for the UK.