asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his Department have any control over knackeries; and if he is aware that in some cases carcases are left in the open for days and are in danger of spreading animal disease.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Knackeries Control.
87.
Control of knackeries for public health purposes is a function of the local sanitary authorities. The carcases of animals which die of any common endemic disease, such as pneumonia, hoose or parasitic disease do not constitute a risk of spreading animal disease.
Is this the responsibility of public health inspectors or of veterinary inspectors?
The local authorities employ veterinary personnel to look after matters of this kind.
Is the Minister satisfied that they are doing their job?
That is a separate question.
How can the Minister claim that these carcases are not responsible for the spread of animal diseases when such carcases are sold throughout the country as dog meat and at a high price too? Surely there should be some control of such carcases in the interest of the control of animal diseases?
The supervision that is necessary in knackeries would need to be reinforced. The control exercised over what happens to dead animals when they are being disposed of would need to be supervised carefully because, if not, the likelihood of the spread of diseases is increased.
Is the Minister aware that in some cases depots supplying knackeries are no more than open fields and that there are times when animal carcases are left lying around for as long as two days during which time rats, cats and dogs remove portions of them?
If this is happening, it is against the law and should be stopped. The local authorities should ensure that it is stopped.