Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the conditions which must be adhered to, to comply with the type of licence held by an establishment (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46260/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the procedure involved in inspecting if a licensee has complied with a licence such as that held by an establishment (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46261/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if recycling plants involved in the production of animal feed are required to hold a specific type of product liability insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46270/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the situation pertaining to the suspended animal feed producing operation in County Carlow regarding allegations that plastic and other bread coverings were, as a matter of course, or occasionally, fed into the heating/drying process at that plant; if so, the advices he has received regarding the dangers involved for animal health and, consequently, as consumer/end user, for human health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46303/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 448, 449, 458 and 466 together.

The establishment must comply with relevant National and EU legislation, including those set down in the: European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations, 2005 (SI No. 910 of 2005) giving effect to EU Regulation 183/2005 laying down the requirements for feed hygiene; and European Communities (Undesirable substances in feedingstuffs) Regulations, 2003 (SI No. 317 of 2003) giving effect to EU Directive 2002/32 on Undesirable Substances in Animal Feed.

The specific operational obligations are set out in Annex II of the EU Feed Hygiene Regulations (183/2005). In cases where a feed manufacturer fails to comply with these obligations my Department will, depending on the nature and seriousness of the infringement, issue a warning; detain a product and prohibit its placement on the market; issue a product recall; close down the operation; initiate legal proceedings and ultimately remove the operator from the Register of Feed Business Operators.

The process used by the food business operator concerned involved the mechanical removal of wrapping material. There is no evidence to suggest that any residual wrapping material that may be present in the product presents any health or environmental hazards to human or animal health.

In relation to the registration of feed business operators, there is no legal obligation on feed business operators to hold specific types of insurance policies.