Vol. 557 No. 1
171 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals he has to ban those convicted of giving hormones to cattle, which have serious affects on animals and humans, from owning animals for life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21206/02]
My Department has over many years consistently adopted a rigorous policy of enforce ment of the EU hormone ban. As part of the national residue plan, extensive monitoring of live animals and animal products is carried out with a view to detecting a range of banned substances, including hormones, and where positives are detected follow-up investigations take place. In addition, my Department's special investigation unit carries out specific targeted investigations as considered necessary.
The success of this approach is evident from the record of prosecutions for offences under animals remedies legislation. Since 1996, over 200 people have been convicted under this legislation with over 60 of these receiving custodial sentences and fines totalling almost €0.87 million imposed. The numbers of hormone positives detected by residue surveillance in more recent years has declined significantly (0.15% positive level in 2001) reflecting the success of consistently vigorous enforcement.
Under the Animal Remedies Act, 1993 there is provision for the courts to ban a person convicted on indictment from having charge of animals for a period which can be for the life of the person. In addition, those found to have breached the EU hormone ban are excluded under EU law from receiving headage and premia payments for the calendar year concerned. In the event of a repeated breach, this exclusion is extended to five years.
