Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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333. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to publish all contacts and reports his Department had or has with the FSAI regarding horse slaughter and the equine food industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27836/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is engaging closely with the FSAI regarding this ongoing investigation and the matters highlighted recently as regards equine traceability.

On 20th June the FSAI on behalf of Ireland issued a Food Fraud Notification on the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) network- this is the EU system established to ensure the exchange of information between member countries to support swift action by food safety authorities in cases of potential risks to public health. The specific purpose of the alert issued on 20th June was to alert other Member States, particularly France, of concerns about previous trade to an establishment in France.

The FSAI attended, along with my Department, the EU meeting convened by the European Commission on Wednesday 26th June to discuss issues around equine traceability highlighted by the recent RTÉ programme.

As the criminal investigation involving my Department and Gardaí is ongoing there are no reports as such to share with FSAI at this stage, but my Department is continuing to liaise with the FSAI in relation to actions taken to address any issues identified for the safety and integrity of the food chain.