Sir, - It has been clear, ever since salmonella first entered the food chain and became apparent in underdone chicken and then in eggs, that animal foods needed to be scrutinised as closely as human food.
BSE in cattle had been a concern for some years before proof of the danger to humans emerged. When it comes to plant food, the Germans worry that high nitrogenous fertilisation in winter lettuces can convert to dangerous nitrates. This has not yet been proved and so the lettuces are still on sale.
With the possibility of a vast industry such as British beef being wiped out, it does seem reasonable to have proof of the danger before acting. As long as facts are not concealed, the consumer should be able to make up his own mind about the risk factor on whatever evidence and information is available. All food is potentially dangerous for one reason or another. it is ridiculous to blame a government for everything, but facts should not be concealed.
What is very dangerous is the lack of accountability and the concealment of practices. I also feel that the making up of animal feed for balanced rations on a purely scientific break down of nutrients, from whatever is the cheapest available source, should be abandoned. Food for man and beast should be wholesome. No meats or animal parts should be fed to vegetarian animals, no hides ever, no diseased carcasses, no non food additives. Prices would go up but good food is a precious commodity, it goes with our health, our happiness and our vitality.
Page two of the European Council Directive 93/43/EEC defines wholesome food as "fit for human consumption as far as hygiene is concerned". I would go much further than this.
Clearly, we must know the sources of our supplies. Here in Cloyne I have access to my butcher's pastures, can ask him about his fattening beef cattle and inquire which farmer reared them and how. This is traceability, accountability. This is what we now need to know from those family butchers that are left to us and from our meat, factories too. I have seen wonderful animals enter a meat factory, but one could not identify the meat carcasses, or the meat at a later stage. Why does anyone bother to rear good animals then?
Once again I deplore the Department of Agriculture policy in closing our small local abattoirs.
Big enterprises must learn to live with small ones. Unfortunately all humans can fall to the temptation of dishonesty. Small operators can affect only a few people, but big ones affect the nation and, even a government vet or inspector can fail us. Everyone must now take even more care to maintain our justified pride in our beef product. Yours, etc.,
President,
Euro-Toques,
Ballymaloe House,
Shanagarry,
Midleton,
Co Cork.