POULTRY producers continue to use bonemeal, although there has been a sharp decline in its use since the BSE crisis arose in March, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates.
Mr Yates said that there was now "partial" use, but it was legal and within EU regulations.
Speaking at the launch of the report of the Poultry Industry Forum, he said he was confident of the health of poultry. The voluntary code of practice for the industry and the salmonella monitoring programme were particularly relevant at this time.
Mr Yates said it was important that regulations were based on scientific evidence. Policy cannot be driven by politics or emotion, he said.
He was confident the heat treatment of poultry feed would ensure avian health. He said it was not genetically possible for poultry to develop BSE.
The report contains 41 recommendations for a development strategy. Mr Yates said the report showed that the industry needed to address weaknesses such as cost and scale disadvantages and a low level of profitability.