Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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473. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 25 November 2020, if environmental samples were gathered at any other meat processing plants since July 2020 other than in the course of the referenced pilot project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42657/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Environmental monitoring (bio-aerosol measurement) has not been undertaken in any meat processing plant other than that which was undertaken as part of a retrospective investigation (in late July/early August) in the pilot study plant, in which a COVID-19 outbreak had occured in April 2020.

However, it should be noted that the report of this pilot study has been shared with other meat plant operators (via Meat Industry Ireland), with the public health authorities and with other relevant state agencies. Therefore, the findings from this pilot study are now informing COVID-19 risk mitigation and management in meat plants.

Furthermore, my Department is currently collaborating with other state agencies, university-based researchers and meat plant operators in further studies of risk factors and enhanced measures for risk mitigation for COVID-19 in meat processing plants. The academic participants in this applied research project (“UPCOM”) are being funded by Science Foundation Ireland for the next 14 months. This funding commenced on 1st December 2020.

This includes funding for further environmental monitoring in meat plants - specifically bio-aerosol measurement in different operational areas of meat plants but also the testing of waste water discharges for the presence of SARS-CoV-2.  This funded work will also evaluate and validate alternative air handling systems in boning halls and other meat cutting rooms with a view to minimising the risk of human respiratory infection while continuing to comply with food hygiene regulations. 

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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474. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 25 November 2020, if he will provide all materials, reports, correspondence or findings in relation to the referenced pilot study. [42658/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The referenced pilot study involved the voluntary participation and co-operation of a single meat processing plant, which included sharing a significant amount of information of a commercially sensitive nature about operational processes within that plant.

The pilot study was undertaken on the understanding that a report would be shared with other meat plant operators, the public health authorities and other relevant state agencies. The ultimate aim of sharing the findings of this study was to inform a better understanding of the risk factors for within-plant transmission of COVID-19 and enhanced mitigation of those risks across the sector.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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475. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department’s veterinary staff have played in meat processing plants generally and specifically with regard to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42659/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to ensure that the DAFM approved plants operate in compliance with the EU's food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards. 

Within my Department, approximately 250 Veterinary and Technical staff are routinely involved in supervising, regulating and controlling the food safety, animal health and animal welfare standards at 49 slaughter plants (beef, sheep, pig and poultry) and a large number of meat processing plants throughout the country. Department staff resources are supplemented by approximately 700 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors, who are contracted by the Department to deliver ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of animals and poultry in meat plants. This work is carried out in meat plants in relation to food hygiene, animal health and animal welfare, and has continued during the Covid-19 period.

In addition to this work, Department staff in meat plants have assisted and supported the HSE and the Food Business operators at local level as required in relation to dealing with any Covid-19 outbreaks that have occurred in meat plants and in assisting with the logistics of organising and implementing Covid-19 testing in meat plants.  

Department staff have also supported and assisted the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) by carrying out Covid-19 related inspections in food plants.

As of 27th November, DAFM had completed 575 inspections on behalf of the HSA, including unannounced inspections, in DAFM-approved food premises, and these inspections are ongoing. The Department is also supporting the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority in monitoring the effective implementation of all relevant guidance in DAFM-approved food plants.