Consumers advised to purchase only correctly-labelled Irish beef

CONSUMERS should be vigilant this year and only buy correctly-labelled Irish beef and lamb, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA), president Malcolm Thompson has advised.

“There is plenty of Brazilian beef around, and unfortunately, plenty of unscrupulous people intent on passing it off as Irish,” he said.

Mr Thompson said any restaurant without the country of origin of their beef clearly indicated is breaking the law.

He said there has been a tremendous response to the introduction by the ICSA of a certificate that helps restaurants to comply with the country of origin (beef) labelling legislation.

“We have been inundated with applications, as restaurants realise how concerned people are now about the quality of beef, and food in general, that they are offered.

“The Irish consumer is catching on quick to the fact that Irish beef is the best quality, and the safest option,” he said.