Sir, - It is commendable that the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, should rush to assure further the UK consumers that all is well in the Irish beef industry as regards to BSE. We have an excellent product; it is perceived to be so, and such support by the department and its Minister is just and proper.
What is less than just or proper is the lack of any such assurance for the unfortunate home trade, which provides the Irish consumer with an equally good product. The hard pressed home trade has to compete with these export giants on a very uneven playing field. It receives no grants, suffers varying structural inspection anomalies, and receives little assurance such as veterinary inspection with ante and post mortem facilities, despite the 1988 Abattoirs Act.
This may now he further compounded by Minister Yeats's proposed "scandal of the gamble" with the TB scheme, which could allow cattle go for up to two years without test and end up in these small outlets. Perhaps it's time to expose this hasten slowly" policy towards the Irish consumer? - Yours, etc.,
MVB, Cert, VPH
(Meat hygiene) MRCVS
Gort, Co Galway.