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Food Safety Authority Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 January 2013

Thursday, 31 January 2013

Ceisteanna (180)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

180. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected cost of monitoring a company (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if the cost is to be covered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has maintained engagement, at senior level, with the company concerned, since the start of the intensive investigation carried out by the Department and the FSAI into the source of equine DNA in beef burgers. The current findings of the official investigation do not show any evidence that the company deliberately used equine meat in their production process.

Under food legislation, the company has primary responsibility for the quality and standards of production at the plant and has carried out its own investigation. In the context of possible resumption of production the company has decided, in addition to deep cleansing of the plant, to change its management and to source its raw material from Ireland and the UK. It has also accepted that my Department would intensify its verification role at the plant with permanent Department presence for an initial period of six months, involving also a DNA sampling regime.

The details of the arrangements have not yet been finalised and it is not possible at this time to give an accurate estimate of the cost involved. Aside from the cost associated with permanent on-site Department presence, the cost of laboratory analysis of samples from this company during the course of the investigation has already been quite significant and further costs will arise in that regard. It is envisaged that the cost of the sampling will be recouped from the company.

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