Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2013
82. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason all horses sent for slaughter are not tested for the presence of bute; if not found in the meat and if the meat is otherwise suitable for human consumption, the reason it cannot be sold for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39540/13]
View answerUnder EU law, responsibility for compliance with food safety and traceability requirements rests in the first instance with food business operators. This is augmented by official controls, applied at different stages in the food supply chain. My Department implements official controls in relation to horse identification at marts and other sales venues, in abattoirs under its supervision and at points of entry to the country. Where phenylbutazone (known in the industry as "bute") has been administered to horses, such horses are permanently excluded from the human food chain in order to protect public health.
All equines are required to be identified in accordance with EU and national legislation. Equines issued with a passport after 1 July 2009 must have a corresponding microchip implanted by a veterinarian, which is recorded in the passport and creates a link between the passport and the animal. An equine for slaughter for human consumption must be accompanied to the slaughterhouse by its passport and the information on the passport determines whether the animal can be slaughtered for human consumption. The passport includes information on any veterinary medicines administered to equines.
Earlier this year an EU-wide testing programme for bute disclosed 16 positives from 3,115 tests. The level of bute testing in Ireland far exceeded what was required at EU level. Between 27th February and 1st April, 836 horses were slaughtered and all of the carcasses were tested. Only one proved positive and the carcass concerned was destroyed. No confirmed positives have been detected since and a reduced level of random testing is now in operation. Reduced surveillance is justified on the basis that no further positives have been detected and the risk to public health is very low.
