The Irish Farmers Association is calling for tougher legislation in relation to the labelling of meat.

The Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has said that if fraud is found to be behind the latest twist in the horsemeat scandal, then those responsible will be punished.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland yesterday issued a new protocol for testing the authenticity of foods as gardaí turned their attention to a Tipperary meat plant as part of the investigation into the horsemeat saga.

THE FBD Young Farmer of the Year who will be named next week is likely to be a well-qualified part-timer, strongly involved in IFA and Macra and the local community.