Madam, - A lot of emphasis in recent times has been focused on producing quality food. Farmers, particularly beef producers in Ireland and the EU, are required by law to adhere to high standards in quality assurance, traceability, environment and animal welfare.
Irish consumers are led to believe that the beef they are being served in hotels and restaurants is all quality Irish produce. Sadly, the truth is far from it.
According to An Bord Bia, 17,000 tones approximately of boneless beef was imported into Ireland last year from non-EU countries, mostly South America. This beef is not labelled as such and is sold mostly to the hotel and catering industry and passed off to unsuspecting consumers as Irish produce.
None of the traceability and quality assurance standards that apply to the EU apply in the production of this South American beef. Antibiotics and animal remedies that have been banned by the EU for over 10 years are freely used in South America. There are many unanswered questions. Is meat-and-bone meal used in the feed? Is the beef from animals over 30 months old? And, if so, is it tested for BSE, as is the case in Ireland?
The Minister for Agriculture and Food has failed to clearly label non-EU meat, and as a result importers, distributors and hotels are making huge profits using cheap imported product. Who is the Minister protecting here? - Yours, etc.,
CHRIS HAYES, Rosscarbery, Co Cork.