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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.

Mary Upton

Question:

173 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to inform farmers and abattoir managers on the risks of e.coli 0157:H7 in farm animals; and his plans to ensure the consumer is protected. [19363/02]

Information campaigns and control systems are in place at all abattoirs to ensure the risks associated with e. coli 0157: H7 are addressed. The veterinary examination regulations made under the Abattoirs Act in 1998 were amended to include an additional condition under which the veterinary officer in charge of slaughter plants, including cattle slaughter plants, could reject livestock for slaughter on the basis of the condition of their hide, fleece and or skin.

Also in 1998 the clean livestock policy, CLP, was introduced in beef slaughter plants. The CLP was accompanied by extensive advertising in the agricultural press and the display of colour posters in all district veterinary offices of the Department, marts and Teagasc offices. The purpose of the advertising and poster campaigns was to alert cattle farmers in particular to the introduction of the CLP.
In 1999 a pilot project was undertaken in a number of plants, under the name of the carcass hygiene evaluation, CHE, programme. The purpose of this trial programme was to introduce a regime targeted specifically at the quality of carcass dressing to eliminate the problem of cross-contamination of carcases. The CHE programme was subsequently implemented nationally in all beef slaughter plants at the beginning of 2000. The programme is based on specific audit visits to beef slaughter plants by both regional and headquarters veterinary officers. The CHE audit visits are in addition to the daily checks and carcass hygiene monitoring programmes undertaken in all slaughter plants by officers of my Department.
In the initial stages of the CHE programme, 50% of audits were unannounced. This was subject to change in 2001 when a policy of 100% unannounced audit visits was implemented. In 2002 regional and headquarters veterinary personnel are continuing the programme of unannounced CHE audits. Audit findings are backed up by specific corrective action and enforcement measures which are implemented where required, including reduction in slaughter throughput levels, enhanced slaughter and boning hall supervision, operative retraining, and enhanced quality control measures to be implemented by plant management.
Where evidence of potential food safety hazards are identified in slaughter or cutting plants officers of my Department are empowered to and utilise the legal notice procedures under the European Communities (Fresh Meat) Regulations, 1997, S.I. No. 434 of 1997, which may involve the immediate suspension of meat production.
In spring of 2002 and in anticipation of the implementation of Commission Decision 471/2001/EC, all slaughter plants were required to develop revised and updated standard operating procedures, SOPs on slaughter hall and boning hall management. As part of its overall food safety strategy, my Department constantly monitors its ongoing programmes at meat plants to ensure that the protection of the consumer is safeguarded.
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