Written answers

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Beef Quality Assurance Scheme

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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370. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rules in relation to the movement of cattle under the beef quality assurance scheme; if the restriction of movement of cattle under this scheme is disqualifying many farmers from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43634/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme (BLQAS) supports the Irish food industry by re-assuring consumers on food safety, traceability and origin. It is an integrated, voluntary scheme incorporating processors and producers and currently includes over 35,000 certified beef farms representing an estimated 87% of national production. Producers may apply for membership of the scheme directly to Bord Bia or through a meat plant and if accepted are subject to independent auditing conducted on an 18-month cycle. Approved farmers must be aware of the residency requirements for cattle which are verified at Bord Bia Approved Processor outlets. The BLQAS rules require that cattle must be resident on approved farm(s) for a minimum of 70 days prior to slaughter. Membership numbers have increased by approximately 6,000 farms over the past 12 months and therefore there is little evidence that the movement requirements are having a deterrent effect.

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