Written answers

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

State Agencies

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37337/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the monitoring of food safety in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.

The remit of the FSAI did not extend to monitoring of controls in animal feed. However following a recommendation of the Inter Agency Review of the Pork Dioxin incident it is intended that the role of the FSAI will be extended formally to include animal feed. The legal basis for extending the service contract system to this area is being examined at present.

In the meantime, since the pork dioxin incident, my Department has in practice been working closely with the FSAI on animal feed control matters. Once the formal change to the service contract is effected, the FSAI will have overall monitoring responsibility for both feed and food, consistent with the EU Hygiene legislation.

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