Walsh: many controls stop BSE meat getting to consumer

The Department of Agriculture is investigating claims that a section of meat with a possible BSE infection went directly to the Smithfield market in London.

However, Agricultural Minister Joe Walsh says there is no provision for the export of beef on the bone, where its removal would take place in Britain itself.

He says that there are now a huge number of controls to make sure that contaminated beef does not get through to the consumer, both here and abroad.

He insists that in this case, the beef did not get to the consumer.

It is thought that a full explanation for why the possibly BSE contaminated meat from Roscrea made it as far as England will be released later today.