Vol. 435 No. 1
41 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has made arrangements for the slaughter of imported breeding cattle; if so, if he will give these arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
68 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has made arrangements for the slaughter of imported breeding cattle; if so, if he will give these arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Question Nos. 41 and 68 together.
This country's high animal health status allows access for our meat to the most demanding export markets. However, some markets will only accept meat from cattle originating in the State which have not been slaughtered at the same time as imported cattle.
In order to protect access to these markets export slaughter plants which supply them cannot slaughter imported cattle as effective separation of imported and domestically produced carcases is very difficult to achieve. Imported cattle can, of course, be slaughtered at other slaughter plants in the State.
