Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the regulatory changes that have been implemented on foot of the dioxin situation in December 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16689/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's food safety regulatory framework is governed by EU legislation that is common to all Member States. The EU food and feed hygiene regulations (the Hygiene Package) came into effect across all Member States from 1st January 2006. The Hygiene Package revised and consolidated legislation in relation to: Food and feed hygiene the production, control and marketing of products of animal origin, animal health issues in relation to the production of those products. The Hygiene Package was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 910 of 2005).

The European Commission consults regularly with the Member States in relation to the implementation of the Hygiene Package, and this has led to some minor amendments to the regulations. However, to date, the Commission has not introduced any regulatory change as a result of the dioxin incident in Ireland. In the context of that incident, I have set up a Group under the Chairmanship of Professor Patrick Wall to examine all the aspects of the issue. That Group's deliberations will inform possible regulatory changes.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the licensing, monitoring or inspection systems for food recycling companies has been altered following the dioxin situation in December 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16690/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The two food recycling companies in Ireland which recycle unused food as animal feed continue to be registered by my Department as Feed Business Operators under EU Regulation 183/2005 on Feed Hygiene.

As part of ongoing risk assessment, my Department has already taken additional measures to enhance the inspections regime of feed manufacturing, grain drying, and food recycling premises with a view to minimising the risk of similar incidents. These measures include: the risk assessment for the 2009 National Feed Inspection Programme is amended so that the drying of feed and grain and the recycling of foods for animal feed are categorised as higher risk; the level of sampling of feed materials and compound feed for PCBs and dioxins is being increased under the 2009 programme; and greater emphasis is being placed on checking the HACCP plans of Feed Business Operators to ensure that they have been adequately stress tested and are fit for purpose.

In addition, trader notices have been issued to Feed Business Operators reminding them of their obligations in relation to HACCP systems, with particular emphasis on ensuring that the correct type of oil is used in feed or grain drying operations. In this regard my Department has issued Trader Notices specifying that only gas and particular fuels (diesel and kerosene) can be used for feed drying. These measures will be supplemented or adjusted as necessary in the light of the outcome of the review of the dioxin contamination incident being carried out at present under the chairmanship of Prof. Wall.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the veterinary section of his Department has carried out a review or test of imported meat or poultry; the scope of this review; when it is due to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16691/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is responsible for the operation of EU harmonized controls on imports of products of animal origin for human consumption. These are applied under its service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and in compliance with the Community's rules for the hygiene of food and feed. The application of these controls is discussed between my Department and the FSAI but there is no particular review of the type referred to underway.

EU hygiene of food rules stipulate that food products of animal origin from EU sources must be traceable, come from an approved food business establishment, be health marked and be accompanied to destination by a commercial document or by a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the Member State of origin.

In the case of importation from third countries all products of animal origin are required to be submitted for import control at an EU approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) following prior notification. The checks applied at the BIP ensure they have originated in a country approved by the EU for trade in such products, have been produced in an approved establishment (with the exception of honey), have been appropriately labelled and transported and are accompanied by a veterinary health certificate in accordance with the models laid down by Community legislation and signed by the Competent Authority of the country responsible for the guarantees. The checks include documentary, identity and physical checks as well as sampling of imported products for analysis under the national residue monitoring programme or EU safeguard measures, when required.

Import consignments remain under Customs control until the BIP has authorised entry into the EU. Any imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. Where non-compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed.