Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if food recycling companies remain licensed by local authorities following the dioxin crisis in 2008; if his Department has taken on any role in the licensing, inspecting or monitoring of such facilities; the procedure involved in doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16821/09]

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.

On the issue of whether or not food recycling companies should be licensed or permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency or local authorities, advice received from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government is that this is a matter for those independent regulatory bodies having regard to relevant waste management legislation.