Brian Cowen
Ceist:56 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that the steps he has taken to date are adequate to prevent the recurrence of antibiotic residues in pork and other meats. [23384/96]
Written Answers. - Pigmeat Antibiotic Residue.
I am determined to see that there is no recurrence of the levels of antibiotic residue in pigmeat which were detected during the first and second quarters of this year. A number of steps have been taken in this regard and I would like to fully outline these for the benefit of Deputies and the public generally.
The Animal Remedies Regulations, 1996, which became law on 1 August 1996, require that written records be kept by farmers and producers of every administration of antibiotics to their pigs. Among the details to be explicitly recorded are the expiry dates of the withdrawal periods specific to any antibiotics with which animals may have been treated. The regulations further make it an offence to sell, supply or slaughter for the purposes of human consumption any animal before the expiry of such withdrawal periods. My Department is ensuring that all concerned are aware of the regulations, which will be rigorously enforced.
Consequent on my call on the pigmeat industry to bring forward measures to allay public concern in this area and which would complement the Department's control measures, the Irish Association of Pigmeat Processors and the Irish Farmers' Association have agreed to operate, with effect from 4 November 1996, a new control regime having two principal elements. Pig farmers and producers will supply to processor purchasers, in respect of each batch of pigs sold, a declaration that the said animals are antibiotic-free and, pig processors will undertake an enhanced programme of inplant sampling and will destroy any carcasses testing positive for antibiotics. In such instances payment will be withheld from the supplier, whose future supplies will be subjected to even more extensive sampling.
Sampling and testing carried out by the processors will be additional to that carried out by the Department. All the testing carried out by the processors will be subject to scrutiny and audit by the Department, to which all test results will be made available as a matter of course. To ensure a consistent and valid approach to inplant testing by the processors, my Department has agreed that the meat control laboratory at Abbotstown will brief key technical personnel nominated by each of the companies on testing methodology.
The responsibility for effectively addressing and eliminating this problem does not rest solely with Government. Government will of course play its full role but others also have clear responsibilities and must face up to them. It is as much in the interests of those who produce and process pigmeat to ensure that the product is offered to the consumer free of antibiotics as it is the entitlement of consumers to expect that this will be the case. This is not just what might be termed a "consumer issue" but rather one which confronts those within the industry, producers and processors alike, who have a genuine concern for its current and furture well-being. Consumers will have been reassured by the commitments given by both the Irish Association of Pigmeat Processors and the Irish Farmers' Association and are entitled to expect that such commitments are being fully delivered on by both organisations. I will closely monitor developments to ensure that this is indeed the case.
While IFA represents virtually all pig producers, there are some pig processors who are not members of the IAPP. The Department has, accordingly, sought confirmation that these companies will also implement the IFA-IAPP agreed regime described above. If they do not, my Department will have implemented an equivalent regime at these plants.
As a fourth step, contacts have taken place between the Irish Association of Pigmeat Processors and feedstuff suppliers with a view to eliminating the risk of residues arising consequent on animals having been fed with medicated feedstuffs. Further discussions are expected and my Department has indicated to the IAPP its support and, if necessary, assistance in this process. I will seek assurances that these contacts have had a successful outcome.
As a fifth step, my Department is currently operating an enhanced level of residue surveillance at pigmeat plants. All carcases sampled are detained pending test results. Carcases testing "positive" are condemned and will not enter the food chain. Finally, control and inspection procedures operating by my Department in relation to pigmeat will in due course be monitored by the newly appointed Food Safety Board.
Where breaches of the Animal Remedies Regulations, 1996, are detected, whether in relation to failure to keep records, to observe withdrawal periods or to comply with any other provision, my Department will pursue prosecutions against those responsible. The penalties which the court may apply for offences under the regulations extend to a fine of up to £1,000 and-or one year imprisonment on summary conviction or, on conviction on indictment, a fine of up to £100,000 and-or ten years imprisonment for a first offence or a fine of up to £250,000 and-or ten years imprisonment for second or subsequent offence. I would like to take this opportunity to put those who might contemplate breaching the regulations on notice that my Department is committed to vigorously pursuing prosecutions in this area.
It should be noted that Ireland's residue surveillance programme is conducted pursuant to and EC Directive, its procedures are in line with those operating in other member states and the annual plan is approved each year by the European Commission. The results of sampling or testing are reported each year to the Commission and I have already publicly indicated that results of residue testing will be published on a regular basis in future.
Preliminary indications are that pursuant to the action taken earlier by my Department there has been a significant reduction in the instances of residues in pigmeat compared to the exceptional situation earlier this year. I expect that the arrangements introduced by IAPP-IFA with effect from 4 November 1996 will effect a further substantial improvement which will ensure the elimination of antibiotic residues in pigmeat. Deputies can be assured that I will be seeking the full, continuing co-operation of producers and processors alike to bring this situation about without any delay.
I again stress the particular responsibility of pig farmers and producers in this context. Common sense would dictate that producers should also build a significant margin of safety onto the withdrawal period, so as to be doubly sure that their pigs will be antibiotic free when presented for slaughter.
I assure the House of my total commitment to having this problem eliminated, not alone in the interests of consumers but also in the interests of the pigmeat sector itself.