Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
206. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing the licence to an equine processing plant owner (details supplied) in County Kildare. [19573/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application from the company concerned for approval to operate an equine slaughter plant is under active consideration by my Department. All slaughter plants producing meat 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, S.I. No. 432 of 2009. Large scale slaughter plants and all plants involved in equine slaughter operate under the supervision of my Department.
Officials from the Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service of my Department have carried out a number of inspections and scoping visits at the proposed premises. A request to provide further documentation in relation to a Food Safety Management System and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan has been made to the applicant and a response is awaited. The granting of approval to operate will depend on the outcome of the ongoing assessment and the completion of any upgrading that may be required by the applicant to meet the regulatory standards.
