Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - Implementation of Abattoirs Act.

Michael Ferris

Ceist:

243 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will list the counties, by local authority area, which are implementing the Abattoirs Act in respect of the inspection of meat for human consumption; the cost of this service to each county council; the action, if any, he will take to bring all counties into the scheme; the proposals, if any, he has to restructure the financing of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19738/96]

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

The Abattoirs Act, inter alia, requires each local authority to appoint a full time veterinary inspector and to provide for ante and post mortem examination of animals and meat in abattoirs within their functional area which are licensed under the Act. The detailed information requested by the Deputy, in particular, the cost of providing the service, is being obtained from the relevant local authorities and will be forwarded to him when available.

I am aware that some local authorities are not discharging their statutory obligations in relation to meat inspections and this is a cause of grave concern. The arrangements provided for under the Act are being urgently reviewed and I hope to be in a position to make a statement on the matter in the near future.