Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2005
74 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the reduction in the Estimates for her Department for 2005 for the food safety and animal welfare budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1930/05]
View answerThe reduced allocation in 2005 compared with 2004 for food safety, animal health and welfare and plant heath reflects primarily the reduced incidence of animal diseases such as BSE, bovine TB and brucellosis, and the phasing out of subsidies for the rendering of meat and bone meal. Within the same budget heading, there are increased provisions for veterinary research and testing, the national beef assurance scheme, the fallen animals scheme, animal welfare and plant protection measures. I assure the Deputy, therefore, that food safety remains a central priority for my Department and that there is adequate funding within my Department's Vote to provide for it.
