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

Question 50: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the basis, scientific or otherwise, for the advice she apparently received late in 2005 that it is acceptable to include meat and bonemeal in dog rations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18886/06]

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

Under the EU Animal By-products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002), which came into effect on 1 June 2003, Category 3 meat-and-bone meal, which is derived from animals deemed fit for human consumption, can be used in pet food. By contrast Category 1 meat-and-bone meal, which is derived from high-risk material including BSE carcases and suspects, is totally excluded from the food chain based on scientific grounds; and Category 2 meat-and-bone meal, which is derived from material including condemned meat, manure and gut contents, can only be used in limited circumstances for biogas production. This categorization is based on scientific risk-based assessment by the appropriate EU authorities.

For a number of years, because of concerns in relation to BSE since its discovery here in 1989, national legislation went beyond EU legislation and prohibited the use of Category 3 meat-and-bone meal for feed purposes to prevent the danger of possible exposure of cattle to the infective BSE agent through feed and in order to ensure the safety of consumers of beef.

During 2005 the situation was reviewed, having regard to the EU legislation, the declining number of BSE cases and the fact that some legally imported pet food containing Category 3 meat-and-bone meal was coming in to Ireland from other EU countries. I was also conscious of the need to provide productive outlets for the disposal of certain animal by-products where these do not pose a risk to public or animal health.

I decided in all the circumstances to allow the use of Category 3 meat-and-bone meal in the manufacture of dried packaged pet food. SI 248 of 2003 was amended by SI 707 in November 2005 to introduce this change.

Strict conditions apply in the pet food manufacturing process and controls are in operation covering the receipt of meat-and-bone meal in sealed bags; microbiological testing for salmonella; the need for a dedicated intake/ storage area; and facilities for the safe disposal of unused meat-and-bone meal through rendering or incineration.