Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
559. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if horse meat is used in the provision of processed food for domestic pets here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2947/13]
View answerThe manufacture of pet food in Ireland is governed by EU regulations relating to animal by-products (ABPs), which provide that this product must be processed in a plant approved by the competent authority and to the parameters specified in the legislation.
The regulations permit the manufacture of pet food from specified ABPs, including ABPs which are fit for human consumption but are not intended for human consumption for commercial or other reasons. I understand that none of the pet food manufacturers approved by my Department under the EU regulations uses horsemeat as an ingredient in the manufacture of their pet food product.
