asked the Minister for Health the duties of environmental health officers regarding the retail sale of meat; if there is an overlap with the local authority veterinary officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Meat Sale Inspections.
96.
Directions given by the Minister for Agriculture describe the division of duties between veterinary officers of local authorities and environmental health officers in regard to the inspection of meat and meat products for the purposes of the Food Hygiene Regulations. In accordance with these directions, environmental health officers may be assigned to assist veterinary officers and should ordinarily supervise meat and meat products at retail outlets to ensure fitness for human consumption. In cases of doubt the environmental health officer should consult the veterinary officer.
Where it is appropriate to take samples, the environmental health officer relies on his authority as a sampling officer under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. The duties of veterinary officers and environmental health officers do not overlap. My Department is however in consultation with the Department of Agriculture about the existing arrangements for meat inspection with a view to the optimum co-ordination of the activities of the two grades.