Martin Ferris
Question:235. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs incurred by his Department in investigating the recent horsemeat scandal. [23278/13]
View answerWednesday, 15 May 2013
Questions (235)
Written answers
The following direct costs have been incurred, to date, by my Department arising from the recent investigation:
|
DNA testing
|
€83,714;
|
|
Phenylbutazone (bute) testing |
€67,495; |
|
Travel and Subsistence |
€40,917; |
|
Incidental expenses |
€1,886. |
Overtime costs of approximately €5,000 have also been incurred. In addition the Department diverted a very significant level of resource from other tasks to this investigation.
It is envisaged that DNA testing costs and expenses arising from additional official controls relating to the detection of non-compliances will be recouped from the food business operators concerned.