Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is requesting the pigmeat processors for a commitment to implement tracking systems to distinguish local and imported pork in their processing lines before receipt of compensation funds. [6419/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The pigmeat recall scheme provides assistance in respect of eligible product manufactured from pigs slaughtered in Ireland between 1 September and 6 December 2008. The scheme includes the conditions to be met regarding the storage, transportation and destination of eligible product.

A case has been made for other products manufactured in Ireland and that were affected by the product recall to be considered for assistance. These would include products containing both Irish and imported pigmeat and products made here using solely imported pigmeat that, at the time of the recall, could not be segregated satisfactorily to facilitate its sale. My Department is currently considering the position of such products. My Department is in discussion with the industry about possible improved traceability. This will undoubtedly be a key issue for the Group that I have set up under the Chairmanship of Professor Patrick Wall to examine all aspects of the dioxin issue.