I will deal with the last part of the Deputy's question first. The National Beef Assurance Scheme Bill was passed last week and it will be signed into law shortly by the President. That scheme will address concerns in this area in the production sector.
I do not have responsibility for the matter referred to by the Deputy but I do not want to avoid answering his question. The dioxins scare and all such scares are alarming but they are a matter for the Food Safety Authority. As the Deputy is aware, certain EU rules and regulations deal with this matter. We have witnessed the terrible impact of the fallout from the dioxin scare in Belgium on its farmers and processors. Given the strict procedures that have been put in place by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Ireland is safe from dioxin and other dangers, including ecoli 0157. Those procedures have been upheld. People are often annoyed at the regulations and standards that apply to production but such procedures have protected Irish farmers and the processing industry from these problems. I know the Deputy supports such procedures because of the way he has worded his question. They are vital if we are to protect the food industry which last year yielded £5.2 billion in revenue.