Horses tested in abattoir had false identities

There are fresh concerns for the traceability of Irish food products after 25 horses due to be slaughtered and supplied to the food chain were found to have false identities.

The latest twist in the horsemeat saga raises questions about the equine passport control system, which the opposition said was “totally open to abuse and not fit for purpose”.

The Department of Agriculture said it made the “deeply disturbing” findings that passports did not match the microchips in 25 horses after carrying out checks at the Ossory Meats abattoir in Co Offaly last Friday.