Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004
124 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role his Department has in monitoring the weighing equipment in meat slaughtering facilities; the number of discrepancies in such plants and the plants involved in each of the past two years; the measures taken by his Department; the action taken to refund farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33953/04]
View answerWeighing equipment used for trade is subject to control by the Legal Metrology Service in accordance with the Metrology Acts 1980 to 1998. The regime of control includes approval of new designs of weighing equipment, verification of instruments of an approved design upon installation and following repair or recalibration and inspection over the life of the instruments.
I understand from the Legal Metrology Service that, based on requirements laid down by the Department of Agriculture and Food some years ago, arrangements were put in place to carry out additional checks on weighing instruments in meat plants involved in the various European Union and Government schemes. These checks, which were over and above those required under metrology law, were carried out at two to three monthly intervals.
Following identification of a number of serious health and safety risks the testing of weighing equipment used for trade in meat processing plants was reviewed during the period 2002 to 2004. During the review process limited inspections were carried out and these did not reveal any discrepancies.
Discussions took place between the Legal Metrology Service, the Irish Meat Association, IBEC and the Department of Agriculture and Food regarding appropriate procedures to be followed during testing so as to minimise or eliminate health and safety risks. An agreement has recently been reached on a revised set of requirements which must be met by processing plants to facilitate testing by the Legal Metrology Service. It is intended to resume inspection as required under the metrology law or by the Department of Agriculture and Food early in 2005. Issues relating to refunds to farmers do not fall within the remit of my Department or the Legal Metrology Service.
