Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently initiate an investigation into the practice of veterinary surgeons at a plant (details supplied) in County Kildare, in particular the fact that horses were allowed to proceed through the slaughtering process with fake documents, secondary microchips and painted feet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27633/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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On the day of slaughter, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine staff are present in the slaughter plant and carry out a range of official controls in accordance with National and EU Public Health, Animal Health and Animal Welfare requirements. These controls include the following:

-scanning each horse for a microchip

-Cross checking the microchip with the identification document (passport)

-Cross checking the microchip against the central equine database to ensure that the animal has not been excluded from the food chain

-undertaking a veterinary assessment of each horse from an animal health and welfare point of view to determine its suitability and fitness for slaughter for human consumption.

The alleged fraudulent presentation of documentation and horses for slaughter is under investigation and there is an ongoing multi agency investigation into the alleged criminal practices in the adjoining premises.