Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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575. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that all veterinarians appointed to meat plants from his Department are compliant and or possess professional qualifications as detailed in EU Regulation 854/2004. [35955/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that all veterinarians appointed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are fully qualified and receive on-going training to ensure that the inspections conducted by the Department’s staff are in compliance with all the relevant regulations and official controls.

Regulation 884/2004 has been replaced by Regulation (EU) No 2017/625 of European Parliament and Council and further specific rules for the performance of official controls are set out in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/624. This includes, among other things, the minimum requirements for official veterinarians, auxiliaries and any other staff designated by the competent authority.

The Department ensures that all staff deployed on the implementation of official controls have the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies through a range of measures, including its recruitment processes, learning and development opportunities, specific national and EU specialised training and mentoring. This process is on-going and is adapted as necessary to new or emerging issues.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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576. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he relies on advice (details supplied) given to the previous Minister on the appointment of veterinary inspectors as official veterinarians in meat plants. [35956/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This is a matter that has been the subject of a great deal of correspondence from one individual. The Department is satisfied that the advice on the appointment of veterinary inspectors as official veterinarians was, and remains, appropriate.