OPPOSITION REACTION:THE DECISION not to recall beef from cattle affected by dioxin contamination has been welcomed by Opposition parties.
However, both Fine Gael and Labour yesterday said the different approach followed by the Government to beef compared to pork called into question its initial response to the crisis on Saturday.
Fine Gael spokesman on agriculture Michael Creed claimed Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith had over-reacted by taking the “nuclear option” of recalling all pork products. “The considerably different response to the positive result in beef raises questions about the proportionality of the Government’s approach to the pork contamination.”
Labour’s agriculture spokesman Seán Sherlock also queried the manner in which the Government had dealt with the crisis.
Pointing to the statistic that 90 per cent of pork products were safe, he criticised Mr Smith for not making a statement in the 24 to 48-hour period following the total recall saying that production could recommence immediately.
“If the traceability system was working adequately and the one-step-up, one-step-back principle was being adhered to, it would have been possible to isolate the relevant producers and stop their production. This would have allowed other producers who never used this material to continue to provide product for the market.”
As discussions between the Department of Agriculture, farming groups and processors continued, the issue dominated Dáil proceedings. Mr Smith told the House he was “entirely satisfied” the total recall was the appropriate response.
Earlier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen denied the Government request for a compensation fund financed by the European Commission had been turned down.
He said the Government was in the process of devising a scheme that would form the basis of discussions between Mr Smith and EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, which took place last night. “The provision of aids to private storage is an aspect of this matter that should get support.”
Responding to the Fine Gael claim that the total ban of pork products was not proportional, a Government spokesman said that the Government had no choice. Whatever decision was taken the Government was “damned if we do and damned if we don’t”.
