IFA hopes tests prove beef not Irish

THE Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is hoping results of DNA tests on beef to be published shortly will prove that cheap South American meat is being sold as Irish beef.

The association took dozens of samples from hotels and meat suppliers across the country.

Many of the meats tested were taken without the knowledge of hotels and restaurants, after IFA members took home pieces of beef they had ordered to eat.

The meats were DNA-tested by a company called IdentiGen, based at Trinity College Dublin, and the results are due within days.

“The DNA tests allows us to trace the origin of the beef because the zebu gene is only found in South American cattle,” IFA national livestock chairman Derek Dean said.

The IFA believes that several catering businesses are unaware they are selling Brazilian beef, which is imported cheaply.

“In many cases I think they don’t know, and at last these results should prove that some of the beef is not what it claims to be,” Mr Dean said. The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) yesterday insisted that the hospitality sector is not deliberately hiding the identity of beef.

“It would be seriously damaging to any member of this responsible industry to mislead or misinform customers,” IHF chief executive John Power said.

“Some people seem obsessed with this, but it’s not the most important issue facing the industry. We hope that any test carried out meets the necessary professional guidelines.”

Around 100 farmers recently took part in a rally in Killarney, Co Kerry, to protest against the growing use of foreign meat by the catering industry.

Former Junior Minister for Agriculture Ned O’Keeffe attended the protest.

Earlier this week, Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh said the origin of beef will have to be shown on menus in hotels and restaurants.

“The issue is due to be discussed in the Council of Agriculture Ministers next month, following the presentation of a report on the system which is being carried out by the commission,” he said.

“When the Irish consumer sits down in a restaurant and looks at the menu and wants to eat Irish beef, he or she is entitled to that information at the very least.”