Vol. 510 No. 3
59 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself with the level of control over materials fed to animals here having regard to the controversy involving French cattle and in view of the need to protect the reputation of Irish meat and meat products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22423/99]
The recent controversy regarding animal feedstuffs in France related to the inclusion of material derived from sewage sludge in such feedstuffs. My Department does not permit the recycling of sludge into animal feed from slaughterhouses, rendering plants or any other form of waste water treatment plants.
Commission Decision No. 91/516, which contains a list of ingredients, including sewage sludge, whose inclusion in animal feedingstuffs is prohibited, was transposed into national legislation under the European Communities (Marketing of Feedingstuffs)(Amendment) Regulations, 1992.
This legislation is enforced by means of ongoing inspections by officials of my Department at feed mills, ports and retail outlets. There is also a permanent Department presence at slaughtering plants and rendering plants involved in treatment of animal waste.
