Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the details of the audit of the veterinary inspectorate to be carried out in his Department; the person who is conducting the audit; his views, in view of the delay in the removal of reactors from farms, on whether it will be appropriate to suspend circular 06/09 pending completion of the veterinary audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18287/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Officials of my Department are, as part of an ongoing review of resources, currently carrying out a review of work undertaken by the DVO-based veterinary inspectorate within my Department. This review is at an early stage and is focusing on staffing levels, organisational structures, business processes and possible synergies with other areas of veterinary work.

Circular ER 06/09, which came into effect from 9 March 2009, sets out revised arrangements for official controls, applied in respect of a number of disease control processes undertaken by officials of my Department, some of which relate to the removal of reactors. The purpose of the circular is to promote a system of risk-based auditable controls and to bring additional efficiencies into my Department's control systems. There is no evidence that the period for removal of reactors has been affected by introduction of the circular. I do not see any reason to suspend the circular pending the completion of the review.