Vol. 516 No. 6
246 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the action, if any, being taken by his Department to ensure all poultry consumed complies with EU standards relating to hormones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9091/00]
Under EU legislation, which applies in all member states, my Department implements a comprehensive national residue plan covering all food-producing species, including poultry. Under this plan, samples of poultry taken over the year at farm and slaughter plant levels are tested for residues of illegal hormones, of veterinary medicines and of environmental contaminants. No hormones have been detected in almost 600 samples tested specifically for these substances over the past two years.
I have provided for enhanced consumer protection in this area by bringing into force legislation under which all primary processors of animal food products are required to monitor raw material for the presence of residues and where positives are detected, to subject the suppliers concerned to a progressively increased level of surveillance. Under these arrangements, processors are required to submit their detailed plans for the approval of my Department, as well as the results of such monitoring.
Third countries, wishing to export poultry products to the EU, are required to provide equivalent guarantees of consumer protection to those applying within the Union by submitting for the approval of the European Commission relevant details of their legislation and of their detailed plans for detection of residues.
