Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 7: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether the presence of dioxins as a result of the development of two new incinerators here will have an adverse effect on foods grown; her further views on whether this will become a disincentive for importers to purchase Irish food exports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38457/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, recently granted the Republic's first two licences for commercial waste incinerators subject to stringent conditions. A priority task for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, since it was established in 1999 has been to monitor the food supply for contamination by dioxins. Concerning the introduction of waste incineration in Ireland as part of a national waste management strategy, the FSAI considers that such incineration facilities, if properly managed, will not contribute to dioxin levels in the food supply to any significant extent and will not affect food quality or safety. In order to maximise consumer protection, it is vital that rigorous monitoring programmes be maintained and that consideration be given to expanding environmental monitoring around any established incineration facilities.

Emissions from the plants will be actively monitored by the EPA to ensure that the limit values in place are not exceeded. The EPA has held discussions with the FSAI with a view to putting in place a monitoring strategy to ensure that food produced in the areas surrounding the incinerators does not pose any danger to consumers.

I understand the FSAI is satisfied that Irish foodstuffs will not be adversely affected by the introduction of the two new incineration facilities announced by the EPA, provided these facilities maintain the rigorous controls on emissions which will be part of the EPA licensing controls and provided the monitoring programme on foodstuffs currently under discussion between the FSAI and the EPA is put in place. The FSAI will continue to maintain a surveillance programme for levels of environmental contaminants including dioxins in Irish food, independent of this monitoring programme.

Provided these measures are put in place, the FSAI considers the current low levels of these contaminants in Irish food will continue, and will provide a positive incentive for consumers and importers in other countries to purchase Irish food exports.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister values the clean environment in which food is grown. Does she regret the decision to grant licences to these facilities?

Belgium had a problem with dioxins that affected the poultry industry some years ago and this contaminated the reputation of poultry there. What measures will the Minister put in place if such a problem occurs here? The EPA will provide spot checks rather than having someone on site. What inputs will the Minister have to rigorous assessments? If the FSAI discovers a problem, it will be too late.

Mr. Aidan O'Brien undertook research and complained when a similar facility was proposed near his farm in Tipperary. The facility was withdrawn because of the proximity of racehorses. Are racehorses affected by dioxins in a different way to people?

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Racehorses are treated differently in the tax system.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I cannot make a personal comment because it is outside my jurisdiction. This is a matter for the EPA and it has gone through due process. In granting the licence, the EPA was satisfied that, subject to conditions, the incinerators would not endanger human health or harm the environment. The conditions require the operator to carry out monitoring programmes 20 times per year, ten times more than what is requested by the EU. The Office of Environmental Enforcement will monitor and enforce conditions through environmental audits, site visits and checks of emissions.

I respect the independence of the FSAI, its valued contribution to food safety, its assurances and its proactive manner of addressing concerns. Once the conditions have been finalised, the FSAI and the EPA will do the job well.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister's reply was very conditional, stating there would be no impact to any significant extent if properly managed. Is the Minister concerned about the EPA carrying out monitoring, as it seems more interested in prosecuting pig farmers throughout the country than monitoring dioxins?

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I share the same concerns as Deputy Naughten. The Minister's statement contained the phrase "if properly managed" and we need assurances on how this management will be monitored. Is continuous monitoring possible? If not, we will always be acting in a post hoc fashion and the damage will be done before we know about it.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand these are spot checks by definition. Will the Minister insist that dairy products and meat are measured, as well as airborne dioxins? This is the food we consume and this is where the dioxin is concentrated. Will she insist on such testing? I understand these tests will target airborne dioxins but this is of no help to preserving the good name of our food industry.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

These matters are before the courts. The decisions were made on the prerequisite that certain measures would be taken and it is for this reason my answer was conditional. These arrangements will prove satisfactory if certain measures are implemented. The EPA and the FSAI must be satisfied that these matters are dealt with.

Deputy Sargent is correct in stating that these are spot checks. The monitoring is well beyond the EU standard and there is no reason this should not be so. The Office of Environmental Enforcement goes beyond the independence of the EPA and the FSAI. Discussions between the EPA and the FSAI regarding bio-monitoring, to which Deputy Sargent referred, and the production of milk, a sensitive indicator of foodstuffs, as well as tissue and animals likely to be exposed to any possible emissions. These concerns are being taken into consideration.