Vol. 524 No. 6
142 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he can account for the number of instances whereby veterinary inspectors from his Department have ordered the suspension of killings at meat factories over the past 12 months where they suspect BSE in cattle; if such suspensions have resulted in uncovering BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23410/00]
There were no instances whereby veterinary officials of my Department ordered the suspension of killings at meat factories over the past 12 months where they suspected BSE in cattle. However, I should point out that there was one incident in August of this year where killing at a meat plant was suspended because an animal was slaughtered without the required ante-mortem inspection having been completed. On that occasion, every action was taken to prevent possible risk material entering the food chain.
