Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
460. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has changed its policy relating to sheep being presented for slaughter and meat processing plants in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6770/18]
View answerFood legislation requires that primary producers rearing animals or producing primary products of animal origin are to take adequate measures to ensure the cleanliness of animals going to slaughter. My Department has, accordingly, developed a clean livestock policy which has been agreed with farmer, haulier and Food Business Operator stakeholders. The policy document was finalised in February 2017. This policy is a public health measure, intended to reduce the potential risk to consumers that may arise if meat is contaminated by dirty fleeces.
An effective Clean Livestock Policy is very important not just in terms of basic food safety but also as a reputational issue for Ireland’s meat industry and to safeguard our ongoing major export trade in meat and hides. This policy is underpinned by EU and national regulatory requirements.
It was clear that there was a need to significantly improve performance in relation to the cleanliness of incoming sheep, to ensure the continuation and expansion of this trade. Sending dirty sheep to slaughter increases the contamination risk from harmful bacteria. Dirty sheep risk our valuable sheep and fleece markets.
My Department monitors the cleanliness of the sheep presented for slaughter on a daily basis. It should be noted that the vast majority of sheep are deemed acceptable at the slaughter plant.
