Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2017
280. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to any perceived problem at the Dublin regional veterinary post mortem facility at Backweston; if so, the costs spent to remedy it; his plans to remedy same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10945/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will begin operating a High Containment Laboratory in May 2017. The Laboratory will operate to the highest attainable international standard. In keeping with best international practice in the operation of such facilities the Department will control access to the Backweston site. In addition and to avoid any perception of risk for persons who have daily contact with farmed animals, alternative arrangements are being considered for farmers who wish to submit carcases of farmed animals for post mortem examination at Backweston. The simplest and most cost effective option will be to provide a drop off point at an adjacent premises owned and operated by the Department. However consideration is also being given to the possibility of establishing a carcase collection point at a location further afield as this would have the added advantage of providing greater ease of access to the diagnostic service and encouraging further voluntary submissions for surveillance purposes.
