John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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507. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to transfer the responsibility for vet inspections of abattoirs, slaughterhouses and meat plants from county councils to his Department. [16825/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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All meat processing and slaughter plants whose meat is destined for human consumption must meet the requirements set out in detailed EU regulations relating to food safety, animal health and welfare.

Large scale slaughter plants operate under the supervision of my Department, while smaller scale abattoirs are supervised by the Local Authority Veterinary Service.

My Department has no plans to take over the statutory obligations currently carried out by the Local Authority Veterinary Services.