Dioxin scare linked to Northern milk exports to Britain drying up
Termination of import contracts by Meadow Foods and Wisemans has been linked to the scare which started when dioxin was found in a small sample of Irish pigmeat produced between September 1 and December 6. A new label now identifies Irish pork and bacon produced before September 1 and after December 6, or which has been verified as safe by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Within 24 hours, more than three million labels were distributed to approved pigmeat processors nationwide. Its introduction followed a report by the European Food Safety Authority affirming the safety of Irish pigmeat, despite a small sample produced between September 1 and December 6 having traces of dioxin.
Exports of pigmeat are predominantly ingredients for further processing, with little fresh product going direct to supermarket shelves.
