TD voices concern at beef imports

Ireland: The Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food was urged yesterday to examine procedures governing the importation of beef from outside the EU following new concerns about the safety of the product.

Fine Gael agriculture and food spokesperson Billy Timmins, TD, said debate on the issue focused on the increasing amount of beef being imported into Ireland from non-EU countries, particularly Brazil, and about the safety of this product.

The EU Food and Veterinary Office produced a report last March which examined the level of animal health controls in Brazil. Deputy Timmins said this report raised some serious concerns about the safety of meat production in Brazil and the quality of meat product entering the EU from that country.