Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2014
107. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a company's (details supplied) application for registration as a food business operator under European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulation 2009 (SI No. 432 of 2009) on 4 August 2014 will be decided. [39237/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll slaughter plants whose meat is destined for human consumption must meet the requirements set out in detailed EU food safety regulations, generally referred to as the 'Hygiene Package'. These regulations are implemented in Ireland under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 432 of 2009). Large scale slaughter plants and all plants involved in equine slaughter operate under the supervision of my Department. An application from the company concerned for approval as a food business operator is under active consideration by my Department and an initial inspection visit to the proposed premises by officials from the Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service is scheduled to take place within the next two weeks. The granting of approval to operate will depend on the outcome of the inspection process and the completion of any upgrading that may be required by the applicant to meet the regulatory standards.
