Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 5

Written Answers. - Meat Plant Checks.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

103 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding the lack of antemortem checks at meat plants and implementation of the 1988 Abattoirs Act; if his Department has instigated an inquiry into these concerns; if so, when this inquiry will be completed; and when the results will be publicly available. [8198/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

Regulations governing (a) the construction, operation and licensing of domestic abattoirs, (b) the veterinary examination of animals and meat and (c) the health marking of meat found fit for human consumption have been introduced under the Abattoirs Act, 1988.

The Regulations at (a) are being implemented uniformly throughout the country. I am aware that ten local authorities have not appointed veterinary inspectors for the purpose of implementing the Regulations at (b) and (c) above. This matter has been the subject of ongoing correspondence between my Department and the local authorities concerned. I am reviewing the situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution.