Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

148. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 535 to 537 of 12 February 2019, the number of inspections; if the calibration of the grading machines have been interfered with in each of the past three years; the number of discrepancies found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8846/19]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 535 to 537 of 12 February 2019, his plans to replace the grading machines and software; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8847/19]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

150. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 535 to 537 of 12 February 2019, if daily control reports of each automated grading machines are maintained by meat plants; if so, if they specifically record faults or inaccuracies; if reviews of such reports are conducted during unannounced inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8860/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 150, inclusive, together.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. In 2018, my Department conducted almost 550 unannounced, on-the-spot inspections in 32 factories on classification and carcase presentation. In 2017 there were 628 inspections carried out and 616 inspections in 2016. I am advised that there is no evidence that there has been any interference with the calibration of these machines over the past three years.

Weekly control reports are generated by the company that services and maintains the mechanical classification machines on behalf of the factories and a copy is sent to each individual factory and a copy emailed to my Department on a weekly basis. These reports are reviewed on a weekly basis by my Department.

The mechanical grading machines are the property of each individual meat plant. My Department has no responsibility for their replacement. It is a decision for the Industry, meat plants individually or collectively.