173 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a recent report concerning food safety compliance in domestic abattoirs; and the action the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is taking to protect consumer health. [3859/01]

I am aware of the recent publication of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland's, Update on Ongoing Audit of Compliance with the SRM (Specified Risk Material) Regulations at Irish Meat Premises (January 2001). As part of this audit, which included domestic and export approved abattoirs as well as butcher outlets, the FSAI found 29 of these abattoirs to be non-compliant.

The FSAI noted that 96% of the animals slaughtered at the domestic abattoirs were under 36 months of age. Legislative controls on feeding meat and bone meal to cattle in Ireland were stringent by 1996 and early 1997, therefore, these animals would not have had access to contaminated meat and bone meal. While these animals pose a reduced level of risk, the removal of SRM from all animals over 12 months is an EU requirement and 100% compliance is required in all abattoirs.