208 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the way in which the provisions of the Abattoirs Act, 1988 are met by local authorities which have not employed wholetime veterinary inspectors as required under the Act. [10750/96]

The Abattoirs Act, 1988, gives responsibility for supervising the operation of abattoirs, including inspection of meat, to the local authority in whose functional area they are situated. Responsibility for licensing of premises rests with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Local authorities who have not appointed wholetime veterinary inspectors as required by the Act are not meeting their statutory obligations. This matter is being actively pursued by my Department.

All abattoirs, including those situated within the functional area of local authorities who have not appointed wholetime veterinary inspectors, are subject to inspections for licensing purposes by officers of my Department.