Calls for EU crisis management plan following German E coli outbreak

IRISH and European food experts want the EU to prepare a crisis management and communications strategy in light of the recent E coli outbreak in Germany.

To date, 48 tonnes of unsold Irish cucumbers have been destroyed in line with the EU’s scheme to restore the horticulture market. However, sales continue to fall in the sector, with consumer confidence swaying and subsequent reports citing bean sprouts in France and Germany as the source of the outbreak.

Commissioner John Dalli, a specialist in health matters, said there is no danger from the consumption of salad vegetables such as cucumbers, lettuce, courgettes and tomatoes. The Commission is also considering whether to update EU hygiene rules on the production of seed for food for human consumption.

IFA horticulture chairman Brian O’Reilly said public health agencies here must do more to reassure consumers of the safety of produce. He said retailers must also highlight the origin of all fresh produce as there is a plentiful supply of most fruit and vegetables available from Irish producers.

Mr O’Reilly said: “The Bord Bia Quality Assured mark provides the best guarantee to consumers that the produce they are buying is safe and fully traceable. There is an onus on retailers to carry prominent, clear signage that gives full information to shoppers.”

However, such has been the flight of European consumers away from horticulture products that many experts say the EU’s proposed €210 million compensation package wouldn’t even cover one week’s worth of industry losses.

EU fresh produce association Freshfel Europe puts the weekly economic damage at about €200m in Spain alone, €80m in the Netherlands, €20m Germany, €4m in Belgium and €3m in Portugal.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said Irish producers had been protected by their relatively low dependence on exports of horticulture produce.

The EU has earmarked €210m to compensate vendors for unsold produce from May 26 to June 30. The commission has acknowledged that there are lessons to be drawn from the outbreak in terms of co-ordination and clear communication to the public.