Vol. 576 No. 2
122 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all carcasses accruing from the beef destruction scheme have been disposed of in accordance with regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29475/03]
Approximately 278,000 animals were removed from the market under the purchase for destruction, PFD, scheme, while the special purchase scheme, SPS, accounted for a further 235,000 animals. All carcasses were rendered into meat and bonemeal, MBM, at approved rendering plants generating a total for both schemes of 55,000 tonnes. Contracts resulting from an EU-wide competitive tender were put in place for the disposal by incineration abroad of this material. Incineration of the MBM was completed recently. The MBM consisted of bulk meal from carcase and offal, bagged blood meal and bagged SRM meal, all of which was retained in secure, approved storage under departmental supervision.
A comprehensive set of control protocols were put in place to ensure the safe, secure and verified disposal of the meal in question. It was transported to Germany and the UK by licensed operators for incineration at approved locations under the control of the competent authorities. The incineration abroad option represented the most cost effective, approved means of disposal available.
