Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
1468. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a list of those that lobbied for the amendment to negate the need to report infectious diseases in meat plants in 2016 will be provided. [22460/20]
View answerA total of 149 meat premises are approved by my Department, of which the Department has a ‘permanent presence’ at the 49 premises which slaughter animals, and carries out risk-based inspections and controls at the remaining approved meat premises. My Department’s statutory responsibility is to ensure that these premises operate in compliance with the EU’s food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department is also supporting the Health Service Executive and the Health and Safety Authority in monitoring the effective implementation of relevant guidance in DAFM-approved food plants.
I understand that the Deputy’s question refers to regulations made under the Safety, Health and Welfare Act of 2005, which are under the remit of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department does not have any records in respect of these regulations.
