Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I identify with the frustration on this matter. Small abattoirs have particular difficulties which are different to those of large factories. We must deal with the hygiene package, which is an EU package and aims to establish hygiene requirements for EU citizens which everybody will agree should be of the highest standard. Regardless of whether exportation is involved, every EU citizen is entitled to a level of hygiene and safe food. This is the bottom line of the hygiene package. The health check will simplify regulations but I do not want to wait for it as it will not be in place for a couple of years.

The Leader programme, county enterprise boards and the Department's marketing and processing scheme have a role to play. Unfortunately, the amount of money is not as much as I would like it to be and Deputy Doyle will have a similar view on this. The craft butchers' association made a submission to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which takes account of many of the points made by Deputy Doyle with regard to small abattoirs and this is being considered.

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