Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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539. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences for knackeries revoked historically; the number of licences granted in the past 25 years; the number of inspections of same in the past ten years; the outcome of same in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29216/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Category 2 Intermediate Plants (Knackeries) and Collection Centres are approved and supervised by my Department in accordance with the EU Animal By-Products Regulations (EC) No 1069 of 2009 and its implementing Regulation (EU) No 142 of 2011 which lay down the health rules as regards animal by products and derived products not intended for human consumption.

Since electronic records began in 2007, forty licences have been granted to knackeries and two licences have been revoked at the request of the knackery. There are currently thirty eight knackery licences approved by my Department.

Official controls are carried out in the knackeries by veterinary personnel of my Department to ensure compliance with the EU and national Animal-By-Product Regulations and also compliance with the specific operational conditions laid down for Category 2 intermediate plants. The Department carries out, on an ongoing basis, audits, routine and/or unannounced inspections at the Category 2 intermediate plants. In addition, Department inspectors take samples from dead cattle and sheep at knackeries for the purpose of disease surveillance under EU Regulation 999/2001.

Seven hundred and seventy one knackery inspections have been carried out since electronic recording of inspections began. Up until and including 2016, two inspections were carried out annually at each of the 36 knackeries. This increased to four inspections from 2017 onwards. Non-compliances detected during inspections were dealt with in accordance with the enforcement protocol. In most cases, the non-compliances identified were considered minor, and either verbal or written directions were given to the knackery operator by the Veterinary Inspector. Follow-up visits ensured non-compliances were rectified. My Department issues legal compliance notices for serious non-compliances.