Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
61 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food about the provisions that are in place to ensure that dioxin levels in food or feed are within the proposed limits set down by the European Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29345/04]
View answerThe maximum permitted levels of dioxin in animal feed are laid down in Commission Directive 2003/57/EC amending Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on undesirable substances in animal feed. My Department carries out extensive monitoring for the presence of dioxin in feed through the sampling and analysis of all types of feed, at all stages of the feed chain, in order to ensure compliance with the maximum permitted levels laid down in the legislation. To date in 2004, the Department has carried out analysis of 78 samples for dioxins in animal feed, all of which were below the maximum permitted levels under EU legislation.
Furthermore, in 2005, we will participate in an EU wide monitoring programme for the presence of dioxin and dioxin-like colychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, in animal feed. The European Commission's strategy for dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls aims to reduce human exposure at safe levels in the medium to long term, with a quantitative objective to reduce human intake levels, primarily from food, below 14 pico-grams WHO-toxicity equivalence perkilogram bodyweight per week.
This year, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in collaboration with my Department monitored dioxin occurrence in meat, offal, fruit, vegetable, cereals and dairy produce. A similar exercise was carried out on eggs in 2003. I understand there is a study underway on fish. The results of these surveys indicate that the levels found are well below the existing EU maximum levels and will also be below the Commission proposed levels, which will include levels for dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls.
I am satisfied that there is no risk to the safety and quality of food produced in Ireland. A report issued by the FSAI in November 1993 stated that "as part of an overall waste management strategy, as reflected in the EC waste hierarchy, incineration coupled with waste prevention, reduction, recycling and other treatment methods is the preferred option". My colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, is actively pursuing an integrated waste management approach which is the practice used by the best waste performers in Europe and reflects the internationally recognised waste management hierarchy.
