I am aware of the surveillance study, undertaken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland into the presence of e.coli 1057:H7 in minced beef and beef burgers, to which the Deputy refers. Information campaigns and control systems are in place at all abattoirs to ensure the risks associated with e.coli 1057:H7 are addressed. Veterinary examination regulations made under the Abattoirs Act, 1998 were amended to include an additional condition under which the veterinary officer in charge of slaughter plants, including cattle slaughter plants, could reject livestock for slaughter on the basis of the condition of their hide, fleece or skin. A clean livestock policy was introduced in beef slaughter plants in 1998. The policy was accompanied by extensive advertising in the agricultural press and the display of colour posters in all district veterinary offices of the Department, marts and Teagasc offices. The purpose of the advertising and poster campaigns was to alert cattle farmers in particular to the introduction of the policy.
In 1999 a pilot carcase hygiene evaluation programme was undertaken in a number of plants. The purpose of the programme was to introduce a regime targeted specifically at the quality of carcase dressing in order to eliminate the problem of cross-contamination of carcases. The programme was subsequently implemented in all beef slaughter plants at the beginning of 2000. The programme is based on specific audit visits to beef slaughter plants by both regional and headquarters veterinary officers. The audit visits are in addition to the daily checks and carcase hygiene monitoring programmes undertaken in all slaughter plants by officers of my Department.