Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 2

Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.

Ivor Callely

Question:

10 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the level of inspection procedures of poultry products to ensure the highest quality and standards of poultry products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11979/02]

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

Most poultry slaughtered in Ireland is slaughtered in premises approved by the EU under the control of officials from my Department. Procedures include daily supervision of plant hygiene and ante and post mortem inspections. All poultry carcases are inspected following slaughter and those deemed unfit are condemned and removed from the food chain. A small amount of Irish poultry is processed in premises under the control of local authorities. The control of poultry production plants by my Department is carried out under contract to, and is subject to audit by, the FSAI. It is also subject to audit by the EU Commission Food and Veterinary Office.

Poultry meat samples are collected in slaughtering plants as part of a national monitoring programme and officially tested for residues and pathogens. The national salmonella monitoring programme involves sampling, testing, hygiene controls and the destruction of infected breeding flocks of domestic fowl where necessary. The tests provide further assurance of the quality and safety of Irish poultry products. Poultry products imported from other EU member states are subject to the same EU hygiene and safety standards that apply to Irish products. As regards products imported from non-EU countries, processing facilities in these countries must also meet EU standards and the EU Commission carries out inspections to ensure this is the case.