Grain merchants praised for safety

Dublin: Grain merchants who have passed their audits under the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme (IGAS) were praised in Dublin yesterday for their contribution to food safety.

The IGAS was established in 2002 in response to the increasing demands from consumers for proof that food for humans is produced in a safe and traceable manner.

It aims through the assurance scheme, set up in 1997, to reassure consumers and end-users of Irish grain that it is handled in line with a very strict code of practice.

There are now about 5,000 grower members in the scheme, which covers about 85% of traded Irish grain and which is administered by Cropsure.

Minister of State Liam Aylward, who presented certificates to merchants, whose premises and operational procedures have been approved under the scheme, said food safety is the cornerstone of the Irish agriculture and food industry. He said it is a non-negotiable element of the food-production system. Consumers are rightly very concerned about the quality and safety of their food.

Mr Aylward said cereals represent a key element in the food chain, whether these are used directly to produce consumer-ready products, as in the case of malting barley and bread wheat, or as ingredients in animal feedstuffs.

He praised the Cereals Association of Ireland, Cropsure, and staff of his department and of Teagasc for their work in developing and running a successful assurance scheme.

Mr Aylward said grain merchants have also made a big effort in encouraging their growers to join the scheme.