Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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155. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fallen animals notified to his Department in each year since 2016; the role of his Department in monitoring the emergency slaughter of these animals; the number of fallen animals that enter the human food chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24354/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A fallen animal is defined by my Department as an animal which has died on a farm, for reasons other than being slaughtered for human consumption or killed as part of disease control measures. The number of on farm fallen animal deaths as notified to the Department since 2016 are set out below.

On farm animals may be euthanized by an approved animal collector (knackery), a private veterinary practitioner or by a competent person. The Department carries out ongoing monitoring of the fallen animal figures, as well as conducting a range of on-farm inpsection. Where there are welfare findings, the appropriate enforcment action is taken.

Meat from on farm fallen animals is not considered fit for human consumption and is prohibited under EU Regulation 1069/2009 from entering the food chain.