IFA moves to tackle beef imports

Ireland: The IFA has launched a four-point action plan to tackle the problem of beef imports head on and protect the integrity and high quality of the Irish market for both consumers and producers.

It proposes compulsory country of origin labelling, an expanded and enhanced Féile Bia campaign, a nationwide programme of DNA testing by the Food Safety Authority and a limit on EU beef imports in the WTO negotiations.

IFA president John Dillon said Minister Mary Coughlan promised in July to introduce the new labelling legislation on beef for restaurants, hotels and catering outlets by the end of September.

Saying she must deliver on this, he said she must also put in place resources to enforce the legislation and protect consumers.

With up to one-third of beef steaks consumed outside the home estimated to be imported, mainly from Brazil, consumers are clearly being misled when eating out, he said.

Mr Dillon urged An Bord Bia to significantly expand and enhance the Féile Bia campaign in promoting Irish beef in restaurants, hotels and catering outlets to levels significantly above the current 1,400.

He also urged the Food Safety Authority to undertake a nationwide programme of beef sampling and DNA testing and called for a much more powerful and aggressive defence of the European beef market by Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel.

Meanwhile, ICMSA president Pat O’Rourke has warned Minister Coughlan that the situation regarding imported Brazilian beef is fast approaching a crisis point and demands an urgent response from her.