UK tests to reveal extent of contamination

The extent of horsemeat contamination in the EU’s processed food industry will become clearer after tomorrow, when initial results are expected in Britain of product testing ordered by the government, which has also demanded ongoing tests every three months by retailers and processors.

About 1,000 beef products per supermarket chain are being DNA tested, including lasagne, meatballs and burgers — but not most pies, soups and meat cuts.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will request Irish processed meat companies to also carry out DNA testing. He has agreed with UK counterpart, Owen Paterson that food safety agencies in both countries work together to determine how to protect authenticity of meat ingredients.

Mr Coveney put the issue on the agenda for an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers yesterday. He said, “It is worth noting that it was because of the vigilance of our testing and control regime in Ireland that what is now a pan-European problem was exposed.”

He said while a European response is needed, it does not lessen the determination of his department and the FSAI to continue work with the gardaí, to bring enquiries here to a conclusion. And while these investigations go on, a trader notice was issued by the department reminding all food businesses of the need to ensure the integrity of their raw materials.

Investigations in other countries focused on French company Comigel, which makes products for suppliers and retailers in 16 countries. Products from a Comigel factory in Luxembourg were supplied to Findus — 11 of whose lasagne products were found to contain 60-100% horsemeat. Findus has recalled some of its products.

Comigel’s supplier was Spanghero in southwestern France, whose parent company, Poujol, said they acquired the frozen meat from a Cypriot trader, which had subcontracted the order to a trader in the Netherlands. The latter was supplied from an abattoir and butcher in Romania. Jose Bove, vice president of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee, said a ban on horses from the roads in Romania last year led to a glut of horsemeat.

nThe Food Standards Agency in Britain has ruled that horse carcases be tested for phenylbutazone (bute) before entering the food chain. Bute was detected last year in two carcases from the UK.