Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
88 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the response that was received to the EU-wide tender competition to place contracts for the disposal of stored meat and bonemeal; the timeframe he now predicts for the disposal of the meat and bonemeal arising from the tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5113/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe deadline for receipt of tenders for the incineration of 172,000 tonnes of meat and bonemeal held since the BSE crises in late 2000 was 28 November 2003. Tenders were received from 18 companies in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland. Following a detailed assessment of the tenders, three proposals emerged as best, in being most economically advantageous and meeting the conditions of the published criteria.
Following discussions with my Department, one contract has been concluded and two more are nearing finalisation. The removal of material under the first contract started this week and it is expected that most of the material will have been removed and incinerated in the United Kingdom and Germany by the end of 2004.
Will the Minister of State elaborate on the tenders submitted from Ireland? I was not aware we were in a position to make such a tender and would be interested to receive further details about it. The Minister of State cited an amount of 172,000 tonnes of meat and bonemeal. In a previous reply, he indicated the total amount of meat and bonemeal in storage was approximately 210,000 tonnes. Is it correct that the shortfall of 38,000 tonnes is not under the control of the Department? What plans are there for its disposal?
As regards the first question, 18 tenders were received from all over Europe, including from several Irish companies. The tendering process was detailed and involved two rounds of negotiations with potential customers at which price and the cost to the State were discussed. As a result, three companies were selected. Contracts have not yet been signed with two companies, while the other company commenced operations this week.
As regards the second question on the balance of meat and bonemeal, as the Deputy will be aware, the process was transferred to the rendering companies in November 2003 when the Department divested itself from involvement in it, as had always been envisaged. The meat and bonemeal currently in storage is the responsibility of the companies, as agreed with the rendering industry at the time. It is possible that some of the companies in question may be waiting for a reduction in the price of incineration but its disposal remains their responsibility, and not that of the Department.
Does the Minister of State mean we are talking about incineration of this product in Ireland if that should arise in the future?
I did not mean that to be the interpretation and that is certainly not the case. Some of this meat and bonemeal has also been exported by the rendering companies to landfill sites in the North of Ireland. There is no domestic provision for the disposal because of the nature of the operation.
