Written Answers Nos. 224-235
224. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 18 January 2024 and Topical Issue No. 4 of 16 April 2024, the results of the further consideration that has been undertaken in the intervening months regarding the possible establishment of a border control post at the port of Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30256/24]
View answerCurrently, Cork Port is a designated border control post for container shipments of wood and wood products. Inspections of these products takes place at the Tivoli Container Terminal near Cork City. The physical infrastructure required for handling bulk wood products and that required for handling food products, is very different.
Between 2015 and 2018, a number of meetings took place between my Department and the Port of Cork. In December 2018, the Port authority advised that they did not intend to pursue the building of a border control post at that time, and they would consider that as a second phase of their development. They have since submitted a business case for the building of a border control post, capable of handling food products.
As a border control post may only be located in a customs-controlled area, this business case can only be considered in the context of Revenue designating any place where it is proposed that a border control post will be built, as a customs-controlled area.
In recent years, the focus of my Department has been on ensuring sufficient border control post infrastructure was available to deal with sanitary and phytosanitary goods being imported, into the European Union Single Market from Great Britain, following the Brexit Referendum. This involved a very substantial expansion of border control post infrastructure at Dublin Port, as well as the building of an interim facility at Rosslare Port. Construction of a permanent facility in Rosslare Europort is underway.
The national Border Control Post capacity has significantly increased to match the level of increased trade.
The issue of whether an additional Border Control Post might be required in Port of Cork remains under consideration and officials from my Department continue engagement with the Cork Port Authority and to analyse the demand requirements for this facility.
225. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify the apparently conflicting replies to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 18 June 2024 and Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 2 July 2024 in the matter of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30287/24]
View answerThe separate application forms for an Operative who is directly involved in the slaughter of animals and related activities and an Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) in slaughter plants approved by my Department under Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, contain exactly the same declaration:
Declaration
I hereby declare that I have not been convicted of any serious infringement of Community law and/or national law on the protection of animals in the three years preceding the date of this application.
There is a separate set of requirements and process for an application - generally on behalf of a company, for approval to operate a slaughterhouse premises under Food and Feed Regulations (Food Business Operator as distinct from an Operative). The above declaration is not required under the Food and Feed Regulations.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
226. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for the difference between the conditional certification granted to a person (details supplied) on 22 July 2015, which date appears to be within the three-year period where applicants, as operators, must have not convictions for animal cruelty, and the competence certificate issued on 21 April 2017; if competence certificates were required in the intervening period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30288/24]
View answerI would clarify that there are two distinct processes in train.
The first relates to an application for the approval of a food premises which is submitted by a food business operator (FBO), which may be a legal or natural person.
I understand that the “conditional certification” you refer to relates to this “conditional approval granted to FBOs under the European (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020, SI 22/2020, or its predecessor – SI 432/2009.
Conditional Approval was granted by my Department to a Limited Company (not the individual mentioned) to operate an equine slaughterhouse on 22 July 2015.
The second matter relates to the requirement for Certificates of Competence under EU Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.
Any natural person who is directly involved in the process of slaughter of animals and related activities (slaughter, stunning, managing animal in the lairage etc.) must have a Certificate of Competence in relation to the activity that they are deployed on.
Applicants seeking a Certificate of Competence must make a written declaration that they have not had a conviction for animal welfare related events in the previous three years.
For facilities that slaughter animals above a certain threshold, the FBO must appoint an Animal Welfare Officer who requires a Certificate of Competence in relation to all animal facing roles.
Employees/operatives who do not have any role in the slaughter and related activities do not require a Certificate of Competence. This equally applies to Directors, Company Secretaries, Authorised Persons under the Companies Act who are part of a body corporate, unless they have a direct animal facing role.
A Certificate of Competence, as outlined under EU Regulation 1099/2009 ,was awarded to the individual referred to by the Deputy on 21 April 2017. All slaughter plants approved by my Department have a permanent veterinary presence on days when animals are slaughtered and all slaughter plant operatives are monitored to ensure ongoing competence and compliance with procedures including animal welfare at time of slaughter.
My Department is reviewing these matters in consultation with our legal services division.
227. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a list of all applications, certificates or licenses granted in the matter of handling or slaughtering animals to a person and company (details supplied) or their agents or representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30289/24]
View answerThe information requested is not readily available in the time available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
Please see attached table noting applications from Shannonside Foods Ltd and Approvals and Certificates that issued from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to Shannonside Foods Ltd and Messrs Fitzpatrick.
228. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if departmental licensing and competence certification continued at any slaughter operations, including a company (details supplied), while any possible investigations were taking place on passporting and ID issues, relating to any persons in previous years and resulting in the Department itself pursuing a legal case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30290/24]
View answerFull approval was granted to the business referred to on 25th February 2016, granting approval to operate as a Food Business Operator in respect of Slaughtering - Equine in accordance with Regulation 4 of the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.L No. 432 of 2009). This approval remained in force until it was revoked on 14 June 2024.
Regarding the Competence Certification, EU legislation requires slaughterhouses to designate an animal welfare officer (AWO) to assist them in ensuring compliance with the rules laid down in the Regulation. These AWOs are responsible for the supervision of animal welfare and must hold Certificates of Competence in the operations for which they are responsible.
There was one current AWO at the business referred to. Other employees who are involved in the slaughter of animals and ancillary activities are also required to have certificates of competence. Certificates of Competence may be awarded to slaughter plant operatives who demonstrate that they have undergone an approved course in Animal Welfare at Slaughter. The applicant for a Certificate of Competence must sign a written declaration confirming that he/she has not been convicted within the three years preceding the date of application of any infringement in relation to the protection of animals under national or EU law. Certificates of Competence were issued to five operatives at the business referred to. One of these operatives was the nominated Animal Welfare Officer.
The Minister may revoke a Certificate of Competence, pursuant to Regulation 19 of the European Union (Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing) Regulations 2013 (SI 292/2013) where the Minister is satisfied that the person named on the certificate is not fit or suitable to hold a certificate.
The certificate of Competence for the Animal Welfare Officer was revoked on the 5th July 2024. The remaining certificates of competence have not been revoked.
229. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that his Department communicates sufficiently well, internally, and across sections, in the cross-cutting matters of food safety, traceability, animal cruelty and the necessary scrutiny of the licensing and certifying of individuals; whether he has undertaken or will undertake an audit of same, given the matter a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30291/24]
View answerRegular and sustained communication within my Department’s staff is an inherent and routine aspect of fulfilling my Department’s role in protecting public health, safeguarding the food chain and ensuring that official controls are carried out in accordance with national and EU regulatory standards. Staff across multiple Divisions routinely communicate and co-ordinate on matters that have shared responsibility relating to food safety, traceability and animal welfare.
Communication takes place daily, by email, in person or by phone or virtually, as issues arise. In addition, all Divisions interact with other sectors and with external stakeholders on a more structured basis to discuss cross-cutting issues. A specific Food Safety Liaison Unit is responsible for the coordination of communications with relevant Department divisions and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) for both routine matters and where incidents relating to food safety arise. Area Management meetings are held on a quarterly basis ensuring that staff are informed and up to date on current and upcoming matters.
Standard Operating Procedures and systems are in place for the approval process for slaughter plants and the issuing of certificates of competence and other checks, including welfare and carcass quality.
All staff grades in my Department work collaboratively to ensure the robust legislative standards are met in all areas for which my Department is responsible.
Systems and processes undergo regular reviews and will be evaluated further on foot of the matter you refer to.
230. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that no horse with an ID (details supplied), or otherwise bred for sport or entertainment, be sent for, or accepted for, slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30292/24]
View answerEU Regulation 2016/429, the EU Animal Health Law, and its delegated and implementing acts sets down the rules for the identification of equines. In recognition of the specific situation of equine animals which are generally not bred or kept solely for food producing purposes, the EU Animal Health Law provides uniquely that the single lifetime identification document, or equine passport, should be updated to the equine's status as eligible for human consumption.
A horse must be deemed ineligible for the food chain where:
• it has been treated with certain veterinary medicines such as phenylbutazobe (Bute)
• it has been issued with a duplicate or replacement passport or
• it was registered at greater than 12 months of age.
EU legislation does not provide a legal basis for a category of horses to be excluded for reasons excepting those listed above.
231. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has yet begun the necessary process of making sure horses bred for racing or entertainment, within the expensive and wealthy equine industry, are put to sleep humanely and not sent for slaughter; the steps he is taking to make sure this humane end to life is built into the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30293/24]
View answerMy Department has engaged Professor Patrick Wall to carry out a review of all issues relating to equine traceability and slaughter, with a view to bringing forward recommendations to me within a short time frame. Ireland operates within the requirements of EU law, and in terms of equine traceability we are fully in compliance with those requirements.
Ireland is actively contributing to discussions at EU level in relation to the need to improve the equine traceability system.
Legally, when it comes to an end of life decision a horse owner has two options. They can choose to have a horse put to sleep humanely (euthanised), or they can choose to have a horse sent for slaughter, so long as the horse has not been deemed ineligible for the food chain.
232. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any horses have been exported to the continent for slaughter since the closure of a company (details supplied); if he will act to prevent any such action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30294/24]
View answerAccording to the TRACES platform (the European Commissions on line platform for animal and plant health certification), for the period from 01 January 2024 to the 04 July 2024, no equine animals have been traded to the EU or exported for direct slaughter.
The trade in and the export of animals is a private commercial activity but it is regulated by European and national law which my Department enforces. There are no current plans to prevent the compliant export or trade within the EU of equine animals for slaughter.
233. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to approve the strategic plan by Rásaíocht Con Éireann submitted to his office in November 2023; whether he feels it appropriate to fund an organisation without a current strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30508/24]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The preparation and adoption of a strategic plan is the responsibility of the RCÉ Board and this will be a statutory matter for the board to fully consider. Following the appointment of the new CEO at the end of 2023, my Department has been engaging with Rásaíocht Con Éireann as they finalise their strategic plan. RCÉ has informed my Department that the stakeholder consultation process has concluded and the finalised strategic plan is being reviewed by the Board. It is expected that the strategic plan will be forwarded to my Department in due course.
234. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the years 2020 to 2023; the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed across his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in the corresponding timeframe that had full-time contracts; and the number and percentage of people with disabilities employed in his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 that had part-time contracts, in tabular form. [30958/24]
View answerIn compliance with Section 47(4) of the Disability Act, my Department surveys all employees annually to establish the number of employees who have a disability.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has exceeded the 3% minimum target for persons with disabilities in each of the last ten years. It should be noted that disclosure by individuals of their disability status is voluntary, as is the disclosure of the nature of any disability disclosed.
Figures for the number and percentage of persons employed in my Department who have declared a disability are in the table below. A breakdown of the number of those persons who were on full-time contracts and those who were on part-time contracts is not available as their disability status is not recorded on their personnel files for confidentiality reasons.
|
Year |
Number |
Percentage |
|
2020 |
137 |
3.65% |
|
2021 |
139 |
3.6% |
|
2022 |
166 |
4.2% |
|
2023 |
202 |
5% |
The question of the employment of persons with disabilities in the State Bodies under the aegis of the Department is a matter for the Agencies themselves. This information has been requested from the State Bodies in question and the information will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.
235. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions he is taking to retain the Bailis special care unit in Johnstown, Navan, County Meath for respite and high dependency service users for current and future need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30109/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
