FF calls for action on meat traceability plans

THE lack of progress in introducing a system to ensure traceability of Irish meat was criticised yesterday by the Fianna Fail spokesman on agriculture and food Mr Joe Walsh. He accused the Department of Agriculture of "floundering" on the issue despite damage to the image of Irish food.

The criticism came following the publication of Fianna Fail's new policy paper on food, which proposes a new agency to restore credibility" and standardise inspection of food factories and outlets.

Mr Walsh claimed the introduction of a meat traceability system was encountering unacceptable delays. "The Department has been talking about introducing such a system since 1995," he said. "They are no nearer to it. My information is that they're squabbling about who will do what, and who will have responsibility for what."

He said a particular problem was difficulty in synchronising computer systems dealing with veterinary inspectorates, EU headage schemes and marts which was vital to tracking meat products. "It's not good enough with difficulties in the meat sector and damage to the reputation of Irish food in recent years that the Department is still floundering on this."

The public had become so wary of food that meat traceability and a system of food quality assurance was required. Fianna Fail would introduce such a system on returning to government despite the considerable resources required.

"People want to know when they buy a piece of meat that it is from a Charolais herd in Meath that it's residue free, from an animal not fed on recycled meat and bonemeal, and without hormones. They will pay more for it, I feel, if they know there is rigorous discipline from pasture to palate."

At present, one could trace cheese to the batch of milk it was produced from and to its supplier. Meat might say "prime Irish beef" but often little else, Mr Walsh said.

The party was committed to traceability across the spectrum of the food industry, underpinned by an internationally recognised quality assurance system. "Customers are entitled to know, and be assured of, the purity of food they're eating."

Producers were "bewildered by veterinary inspectors, dairy inspectors, and environmental health officers, all calling, each with different quality criteria".

The agency was needed as the Department of Agriculture's credibility had been damaged by farmers being fined and jailed for the use of illegal substances, he said, and the Department of Health had lost credibility because of the hepatitis C crisis.