Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the quantity of meat and bone meal produced here per annum over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16955/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the quantity of meat and bone meal disposed of and used here per annum over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the quantity of meat and bone meal exported annually for the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16957/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the quantity of meat and bone meal produced from fallen animals on an annual basis over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16958/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 to 219, inclusive, together.

The quantities of meat and bonemeal (MBM) produced over the past 4 years and the percentage distribution between export and other outlets are set out in the following table. This MBM was produced using a range of materials, notably waste from the meat industry and material from fallen animals. No separate figures are available for the amount of MBM produced using fallen animals, but it is estimated to be of the order of 15,000 tonnes per annum.

Production of fertiliser incorporating Category 3 MBM has also commenced recently in this country and I am aware of a number of proposals to use MBM as a fuel to generate electricity.