Vol. 559 No. 2
62 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself with the procedures and protocols in place to test imported animal feed; his views on whether it is necessary to provide DNA analysis of samples to determine the exact nature of any bone material detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25768/02]
I am satisfied that the controls on animal feed that are operated by my Department fulfil all the obligations under the EU regulations on animal feeds and in certain areas go beyond what is required. The EU controls in this area are continually monitored and reviewed by the European Commission and have been intensified on a number of occasions. The controls in operation here cover both home produced and imported feed from the EU and third countries. The use of processed animal proteins in ruminant animal feed is totally prohibited. The prohibition, therefore, applies where traces of bones of any species are found in animal feed material. In these circumstances, there is no need to determine the exact nature of any bone material found.
