Food firm admits it ‘fell short’ in actions on horsemeat

QK Meats, a food company that knew about horsemeat contamination of its beef supply months before the Department of Agriculture discovered it, has admitted its actions in failing to notify the authorities “fell short”.

However, ABP Food Group, also under investigation over the scandal, last night said it was “bitterly disappointed” by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney’s statement to the Dáil on Thursday and critical references to the company made in a report by his department.

“ABP operates to the very highest standards of management and governance, but the controls in the case of Silvercrest let the company down,” the food group said, in a statement.