Commission will not impose ban

THE European Commission said it would not be imposing a ban on Irish pork as the authorities had taken all possible steps to limit the damage by withdrawing all products from the market.

All 13 member states that import Irish pork products have been alerted and are in the process of removing Irish pork from shops and warehouses.

EU and Irish officials held a conference call with the commission and the European Food Safety Authority yesterday afternoon to brief one another. The chief veterinary officers from all EU countries meet tomorrow when they will review the issue and decide if any further action is needed.

European Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said that because the Government had withdrawn all pork and pork products there was no need to impose a ban.

“The commission has a responsibility to take measures as the need arises and not to create unnecessary panic. In Italy, with the problems with mozzarella cheese, we did not say to ban it as the government decided to withdraw the mozzarella — the same way as the Irish are doing with pig meat,” she said.

“We are monitoring the situation. We know there may be implications but we will decide as the need arises about further measures.”

Sean Ó Neachtain, MEP for North and West, welcomed the positive reaction from the European Commission on the actions taken by the Government and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, and the fact that they said there was no need for a ban on Irish pork.

“The European Commission has stated very clearly that the right measures and good practice have been shown by the Government and by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, and that the situation is being managed well at the moment,” he said.

The EU has put in place strict public health and food safety legislation in recent years to govern food crises like this.

“The safety of the European food chain is of paramount concern to all EU institutions and to all EU governments. We should review the rules governing the traceability of pork food products in Europe,” said Mr Ó Neachtain.

Ireland is a big exporter of pork. In 2007 alone, Irish pork exports amounted to €368 million.