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.