Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2010
133 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the various EU Directives and regulations with which agri-food businesses must comply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10958/10]
View answerDue to industrial action in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
134 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of State bodies or Departments involved in inspecting agri-food businesses in terms of food safety and compliance with other regulations; the specific responsibility of each body involved; the frequency of inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10959/10]
View answerOverall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). The FSAI implement this through service contracts with my Department and other relevant agencies, including the Health Service Executive and the Local Authority Veterinary Services. The number of contracts could be obtained from the FSAI.
Legislation covered by the contract between my Department and the FSAI is set out in Schedule 1 of the contract. A copy of the contract can be found on my Department's website. The frequency of inspections can vary from 100% presence of inspectors in premises such as meat factories to periodic inspection visits in other premises.
