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Food Safety Authority Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2013

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Questions (244, 245)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

244. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on the possibility of horse meat contaminated with the substance known as Bute having entered the food chain here; the potential harmful effects of consuming such meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9389/13]

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Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

245. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken since the onset of the recent crisis to ensure that all meat products for sale here are safe to consume; the steps he has taken to ensure that no food on sale here is contaminated with the substance commonly referred to as Bute; the contact between him, his Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine regarding same; the nature of all contacts in this regard by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland with his Department; his Department's response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9393/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised me that testing for phenylbutazone (Bute) in the food chain is conducted every year under the National Residues Control Programme (NRCP). This testing is carried out on samples from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine and equine animals as well as poultry, farmed game and milk.

Based on the above tests, the FSAI has informed me that there is no evidence that Bute has entered the food chain here. With regard to the beef burgers in which equine DNA was detected as part of the recent FSAI survey, these were also tested for Bute - the test results were negative, thus posing no threat to public health.

In light of the recent horse meat incident across Europe, the European Commission has introduced an EU wide programme of control measures, including increased testing of horse meat for Bute. The results of this control programme will provide an evidence base for the possible consideration of further measures to be taken, if necessary.

Officials from my Department are in daily contact with the FSAI in relation to the ongoing horsemeat incident in Europe to ensure there remains no threat to public health. I am also being kept informed of events and developments by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who ensured a speedy response and investigation at national level to the incident. Also, he has initiated and led a rapid and collective response to the horsemeat incident in Europe in his capacity as President of Council of Agriculture Ministers.

Questions Nos. 246 and 247 answered with Question No. 220.
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