Beef Quality Assurance Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Questions (889)

Denis Naughten

Question:

957 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to address the anomaly within the Bord Bia quality assurance beef herd scheme in which marts are not recognised as part of the supply chain rather than destinations; if he will ensure that marts become part of the assurance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1207/10]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

Currently the An Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme is available to all producers of beef in Ireland regardless of whether they sell their animals direct to the factory or via the mart.

The Bord is looking at the possibility of devising a scheme for live animals, in which case the marts would have a essential part.