Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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287. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will appoint agriculture officers to each meat plant to take responsibility for monitoring carcase trim by the factories in line with the commitment in the Beef Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5808/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department currently employs 5 officers who have specific responsibility for monitoring classification and ancillary checks, including carcase trim. In 2014 a Classification officer was appointed to the North West region and the appointment of a Classification officer in the South East was approved in January 2015 to further enhance this level of monitoring. In 2014 there were 515 unannounced classification control inspections conducted by Classification officers in 31 factories and local authority abattoirs. During these unannounced inspections, 51,017 carcases were checked by regionally based DAFM Classification officers for conformation and fat, weights, dressing (Trim) and labelling. The number of inspections in 2014 is up by 15% from 2013.

Later this month, my Department will engage directly with the industry in a series of regional meetings to update personnel on the legal obligations on each factory regarding,inter alia,classification, carcase dressing (trim) and price reporting.

While I am satisfied that my Department operates a robust and comprehensive carcase classification control regime, I am also mindful of the need to continuously monitor the way in which controls are undertaken, including the feasibility of reconfiguring existing Department resources within meat factories. I can assure the Deputy that this process of analysis and review will continue, and that I will make any changes necessary to ensure the continued good functioning of the control regime.