Horsemeat scandal may require pan-EU legislation, says ICMSA

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association president Gabriel Gilmartin said the European Commission may be required to propose regulations to deal with the evolving horsemeat scandal.

“It is now apparent that despite all the EU regulations covering on-farm traceability, the major problems further down the food chain have been missed out on,” he said. “It is clear this is no longer a matter for individual member states but something that has to be dealt with on a pan-European basis.”

The ICSA leader said a key element of any regulation would be compulsory DNA testing carried out by the competent authorities in each state, on an unannounced inspection basis.

“There needs to be a complete review of the role of meat traders and an urgent look at what licensing conditions should be imposed on them,” he said.