Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:87 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the Government's position regarding the banning of sheep innards for use as sausage casings. [25340/02]
Written Answers. - Food Safety.
Current EU regulations lay down strict controls in relation to BSE and require specified risk material from cattle, sheep and goats to be excluded from the human food and animal feed chains. In the case of sheep, the skull, brain, eyes, tonsils and spinal cord of sheep over 12 months of age and the spleen of sheep of all ages is deemed to be SRM. These measures are rigidly enforced in Ireland. Under existing EU and national legislation the use of sheep intestines for sausage casings is permitted.