asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries what steps are being taken by him to improve the quality of bacon in factories where the brine is grossly contaminated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality of Bacon.
21.
I do not accept the implication in the last part of the Deputy's question.
As I indicated in my reply to the question by the Deputy on 23rd June a group consisting of representatives of my Department, the Commission, An Foras Talúntais and the bacon curers is at present investigating the question of the chemical and bacteriological standards for brine with the object of achieving greater uniformity of cure. This group will look into all relevant aspects of the brine used in the factories.
The Minister knows that this statement has been published. Is it a fact that this examination of brine took place about 12 months ago and that there has been very little improvement since in the quality of the brine?
I do not agree there has been very little improvement. Different opinions about this matter are held by the technical people involved. I would suggest to the Deputy that this group which is now operating, representative of all interests concerned should be given a chance to achieve results.
Would the Minister consider asking his technical advisers whether they would consider using a dry cure as against a wet cure?
No.
When the Minister says there are different opinions regarding this matter, would he care to give us these different opinions?
It has to do with the bacteria count in the brine.
Arising further——
I cannot allow an interminable number of supplementaries.
——out of the Minister's reply, would he tell us why he would not ask the technical advisers to use a dry cure?
If I have technical advisers, I take their advice and do not advise them.
Would the Minister not consider it? They could be wrong. Other countries do it. That is the reason we are exporting bad bacon.
We are not exporting bad bacon.
I withdraw that: we are exporting inferior bacon.
The Deputy should not lend his name to this campaign to denigrate our bacon.
Then why is Irish top grade bacon rated as third grade on the British market?
It is not.
There are enough people knocking it without Fine Gael joining in.