Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 6

Written Answers. - Bovine Disease Controls.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

230 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason his Department insists on sending cattle back to the farm of origin under its implementation of the clean cattle policy in breach of the animal disease regulations; and the reason the Department refuses to allow factory on line clipping of cattle which would remove unnecessary stress and animal welfare issues involved with live clipping and protect meat quality and safety. [3443/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The objective of the clean livestock policy is to protect the consumer from harmful bacteria which can be transferred from the hide to the carcase during dressing. The arrangements for the handling of cattle which require clipping or fail to satisfy the criteria for clean cattle must be considered in this context. The food safety implications of permitting the on-line clipping of cattle must be considered on an individual plant basis in the light of the need to prevent contamination and the facilities available. The number of cattle actually returned to the farm of origin and the animal health implications of that practice are negligible.