Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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612. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of companies involved in the disposal of offal from the meat processing trade; and his views on whether there is sufficient competition within this particular section of the food processing industry, the lack of which places severe limitations on service users. [9681/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The meat processing industry generates in excess of 400,000 tonnes of animal by-products (ABP) each year. The range of disposal options available under the EU ABP Regulations includes incineration, landfill and composting of some ABP, but the vast bulk of this material is sent for rendering to produce meat-and-bone-meal (MBM) and tallow. There are 10 rendering plants approved by my Department. The collection and disposal of such material is a matter for commercial arrangement.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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613. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the level of competition within the beef trade, including in the processing of the produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9682/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At present in Ireland there are 30 major slaughtering plants supervised by my Department and some 220 low volume facilities under the supervision of local authorities. In addition there are also a number of standalone facilities engaged in boning and other value added activities. All of these companies compete for cattle from farmers for processing and any farmer is free to supply cattle to any processing facility they wish. I am aware that the Competition Authority also monitors practices in the processing sector and I welcome this input also in ensuring that a level playing field exists for suppliers.