Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contacts that have taken place with Polish authorities regarding the inclusion of horse meat in beef product; the investigations which are taking place into the source of the contamination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4894/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that are being taken at EU level to ensure the integrity of its licensing regime following the identification of horse meat in beef product sources in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4895/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.

Test results received late on Friday 25th January, during the intensive investigation into this matter by my Department and the FSAI, showed a significant positive result for equine DNA in frozen beef trimmings which had been imported from Poland as raw material for the production of burgers at Silvercrest Foods. Furthermore it was established that these trimmings were used in the manufacture of burgers which the Department had found to contain significant amounts of equine DNA. The investigation had therefore established a direct correlation between burgers in which a high level of equine DNA was detected and this raw material product. Further tests of the Polish ingredient concerned also showed significant positive results for equine DNA. I am confident that these findings point to a firm conclusion that the raw material in question was the source of equine DNA introduced into burgers manufactured at Silvercrest. Tests on samples taken from Irish food ingredients were negative.

Under EU single market rules, meat products from EU approved plants can be traded freely within the Community. EU rules set down harmonised conditions for approval of meat plants in EU Member States. The onus of compliance with EU food safety regulation rests in the first instance with food business operators. This is subject to a series of official controls, which are the responsibility of the competent authorities in the Member State concerned. The authorities in Poland have been informed of the findings of the investigation relating to equine DNA and are conducting their own enquiries. Official contact was via the Polish Embassy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chief Veterinary Officer.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected cost of monitoring a company (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if the cost is to be covered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has maintained engagement, at senior level, with the company concerned, since the start of the intensive investigation carried out by the Department and the FSAI into the source of equine DNA in beef burgers. The current findings of the official investigation do not show any evidence that the company deliberately used equine meat in their production process.

Under food legislation, the company has primary responsibility for the quality and standards of production at the plant and has carried out its own investigation. In the context of possible resumption of production the company has decided, in addition to deep cleansing of the plant, to change its management and to source its raw material from Ireland and the UK. It has also accepted that my Department would intensify its verification role at the plant with permanent Department presence for an initial period of six months, involving also a DNA sampling regime.

The details of the arrangements have not yet been finalised and it is not possible at this time to give an accurate estimate of the cost involved. Aside from the cost associated with permanent on-site Department presence, the cost of laboratory analysis of samples from this company during the course of the investigation has already been quite significant and further costs will arise in that regard. It is envisaged that the cost of the sampling will be recouped from the company.