asked the Minister for Health the duties of environmental health officers specifically in relation to the retail sale of meat; if there is an overlap with the local authority veterinary officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Environmental Health Officers.
158.
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 are described in directions given by the Minister for Agriculture. These directions provide that 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. The environmental health officer should consult the veterinary officer in cases of doubt.
Where it is appropriate to take samples the environmental health officer is an authorised officer.
The duties of veterinary officers and environmental health officers do not overlap but, for various local reasons, work practices are not entirely uniform throughout the country.
My Department is in consultation with the Department of Agriculture about the existing arrangements for meat inspection with a view to further rationalisation and the maximum co-ordination of the activities of the veterinary officer and the environmental health officer.