Government investigate possible BSE export

The Department of Agriculture is examining reports that an export of beef contained a banned substance, a possible carrier of BSE.

The meat was spotted at Smithfield market in London last month.

However, it is believed it was wrongly labelled by a plant in Roscrea, Co Tipperary as boneless beef.

The meat had its vertebral columns, a specified risk material, still in place.

Under European Law, all specified risk material or SRM must be removed from meat as it is the part most likely to contain BSE.

If the plant in Roscrea is found to be in breach of regulations, then it faces being shut down and possibly heavily fined.