Vol. 529 No. 2
101 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the action he has taken to ensure the hygiene and welfare deficiencies found in poultry slaughterhouses have been rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2690/01]
The legal requirements governing poultry processing as set down in EU and national legislation are enforced by my Department in those plants under its control. The control system and the plants concerned are also subject to audits by outside agencies, including the EU Food Veterinary Office.
Certain deficiencies were found in some poultrymeat slaughterhouses during the course of an inspection carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office in November 1999. The deficiencies identified in the course of the inspection were initially analysed by officials of my Department following clarification with representatives of the Food and Veterinary Office. A corrective action programme to address the deficiencies found, including structural requirements, was developed in consultation with the management of each of the plants involved.
Remedial measures commenced in each plant prior to the availability of the final report of the Food and Veterinary Office mission. Operational deficiencies were corrected with immediate effect, while those which necessitated structural modifications within plants may be completed within an agreed time frame Each stage of the remedial measures implemented by plant management was the subject of ongoing monitoring by officials of my Department both during and on completion of the individual measures. The deficiencies found have been rectified.
