Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 408: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that imported gas flushed chicken fillets comply fully with the stringent health and safety food production regulations governing the chicken fillets produced here. [43775/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Chicken fillets produced within the EU are subject to the same health and safety requirements regardless as to their origin.

For poultry products imported from outside the EU these must come from plants approved under the European Union veterinary inspection regime and having equivalent standards as that within the EU. There is a set of inspection procedures in place to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements.

The practice of selling individual fillets taken from gas flushed packs in retail outlets is currently being examined by my Department in association with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the industry.