Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

It is hoped a couple of them will be re-opened.

The number of licensed abattoirs ten years ago was 426 as opposed to the figure of 189 mentioned by the Minister of State. The hygiene package has done nothing to aid small abattoirs to re-establish. Grant aid is available for those who want export certification. Will grant aid and revised regulations be provided for people who do not want or need export certification? The regulations governing the supply of local food by a list of quality assured and quality monitored suppliers to local abattoirs should be different to those for large multinational processors who take their raw material from a range of sources throughout the country.

Local authorities will not have the wherewithal to hone in on this. We need specific revised regulations whether this means amending the hygiene package or introducing new regulations specifically governing non-export abattoirs. I hope the experience of the Minister of State in Wexford tomorrow will highlight this and he will learn something on his visit.

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