Pat Upton
Ceist:139 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the percentage of animals whose carcases are used as food for human consumption which are examined prior to slaughter. [18834/95]
Written Answers. - Carcase Examination.
Pat Upton
Ceist:140 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that the post-mortem examination of beef animals entering the food chain is sufficient to guarantee that animals suffering from BSE cannot be offered for sale to Irish consumers. [18835/95]
Pat Upton
Ceist:143 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the objectives of pre-slaughter examination of farm animals to be used for human consumption; and the animal disorders which can be detected in a pre-slaughter examination, but cannot be detected at a post-slaughter examination of the carcase. [18839/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 143 together.
The position is that all animals for slaughter for human consumption are required to undergo ante and post mortem veterinary inspection. The aim is to ensure that only healthy animals are slaughtered and that meat which is fit for human consumption enters the human food chain.
Specifically, the ante-mortem examination seeks to establish, inter alia, whether the animal is suffering from a disease or shows symptoms of a disease which would make the meat unfit for human consumption. In addition the animal is checked for signs or symptoms of having being administered any substance which might make its meat harmful to human health. The condition and general welfare of the animal are also taken into account. There are no disorders which are detectable in an ante-mortem examination which cannot be detected in a detailed post-mortem examination.
My Department has implemented a comprehensive system of controls in relation to BSE. BSE is compulsorily notifiable and the carcases of affected animals are destroyed by burial or burning under official supervision. Every animal presented for slaughter is examined alive for signs of the disease. All carcases and offal are subject to a post-mortem examination by an official veterinarian. All obvious nervous and lymphatic tissue is removed during processing. The feeding of meat and bone meal to ruminants is banned as is the importation of cattle from the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) except for young animals for immediate slaughter in which there is no trade.
These controls go beyond what is recommended by scientific evidence or by international organisations. I am satisfied that these controls provide more than adequate protection to Irish consumers.