Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Disposal of Animal Carcases.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

267 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which BSE infected animals are disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20615/02]

The treatment of BSE positive material is specifically dealt with in EU veterinary legislation. Under such legislation, the only approved means of disposal of such material are burial or incineration. The Department discontinued the practice of burial of BSE carcases in late 2000 and in the absence of any suitable incineration facility within the State, it has been necessary to make interim storage arrangements, pending a resolution of the problem of ultimate disposal of the carcases.

Since November 2000, such carcases have been frozen and stored in a secure, dedicated cold store, owned by the Department in County Tipperary.

I am satisfied that appropriate precautions have been taken in relation to the operation of this cold store and that it is complying with current national and EU animal health, public health, planning and environmental legislation in relation to this matter.

Barr
Roinn