Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cheese Quality Standards.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

38 Tomas Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps he is taking to protect the reputation of Irish cheese on sale abroad, in view of the allegations that some cheese on sale in Britain contained traces of salmonella; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy)

All cheese manufactured in Ireland is subject to sampling and analysis for quality purposes by my Department. Export licences under the Dairy Produce Marketing Act, 1961, are not issued if there is any indication that the cheese does not meet the required quality standards.

In relation to the particular allegations referred to by the Deputy, export licences have been withheld pending the lifting of the restriction placed on the manufacturing premises concerned by the relevant health board.