Higher imported meat standards urged

The Government was urged yesterday to demand higher standards for all imported meat.

Fine Gael spokesman Denis Naughten, TD, made the call after pointing out that a recent EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) report on Brazilian beef raised concerns.

These related to animal traceability, vaccinations, animal movement systems and slaughterhouse hygiene. It was unsettling that the FVO found that significant food safety issues persist.

“Such deficiencies are of serious concern, given that Brazil is our largest supplier of imported beef, with 5,000 tonnes annually, amounting to 94% of all our imported beef,” he said.