Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of agricultural officers who have been trained by his Department up to FETAC level five to conduct both pre- and post mortem carcase inspections; the reason the staff who have been trained by his Department in this area are not being used for post mortem inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18288/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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For a number of years, EU Directives have laid down the training requirements for departmental staff assisting the official veterinarian in carrying out his duties in meat plants. The Meat Hygiene Package, which was introduced by the EU on 1 January, 2006, reiterated and clarified the need for such training.

Teagasc were awarded the contract to provide training for Agricultural Officers in meat plants. The training comprised of theoretical and practical components. Circa 270 officers have completed the course. The course is based on the requirements as prescribed for auxiliaries in the European Food Hygiene Regulations. The additional level of knowledge gained will be of great assistance to the officers concerned in performing their roles in the verification of hygiene and safety assurance in the production of Irish meat.

A number of issues remain to be addressed, however, before work currently undertaken by temporary veterinary inspectors could be reassigned to auxiliaries on a general basis. The course was not structured to deliver all the necessary skills for such a transfer of work and further training modules would be necessary before the trainees could undertake such duties. In addition, such a reassignment would involve extensive consultation with the representatives of the staff concerned and the temporary veterinary inspectors.