Sargent targets abattoir provision

THE provision of more local abattoirs to cater for the needs of butchers and farmers, not least organic producers who especially need local abattoir services, will be one of the priorities for Food Minister Trevor Sargent.

He told the officer board of the International Butchers Confederation (IBC), at a function in Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters, that the debate on “food miles” or how far food travels from farm to fork highlights one of the strengths of their trade as they mostly source their meat from local farmers and sell to local customers.

Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland chief executive Pat Brady is one of two vice presidents of the IBC, which represents more than 150,000 businesses.