27 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that imports of meat, meat products and other agricultural produce are being adequately monitored from a health and safety point of view. [23009/96]

My Department maintains a register of all persons approved for the importation of meat, meat products and other products of animal origin. Importers of products of animal origin are also required to submit, in writing, to my Department details of each consignment in advance of import. The information provided is used to monitor and record imports, and to assist with spot checks on consignments, when necessary. In addition to stop checks, inspectors of my Department carry out regular checks of vehicles and premises to ensure that imports of products of animal origin comply with the animal and public health conditions laid down in national and EU legislation.

Other agricultural produce, such as fruit, vegetables and cereals, are monitored and tested regularly by inspectors of my Department for pesticide residues in accordance with EU legislation. Routine sampling of food is also carried out in retail outlets by environmental health officers of the Department of Health under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts and other food hygiene regulations.