Recalled Irish pork products still held in overseas ports

Substantial amounts of Irish pork products which were recalled from 40 overseas markets because of the dioxin scare in December are still being held in overseas warehouses and ports.

 

Nearly four months after the crisis began, only EUR45 million has been paid out of the government's EUR180 million contingency fund for the return or destruction of the products.

 

Meat Industry Ireland, which represents the processing factories, said the delay in getting the product back or destroyed was damaging the reputation of Irish pork and increasing the costs involved.

 

A spokesman confirmed complaints from the industry to local media that substantial amounts of Irish product still remained in ports and warehouses across the world.

 

Industry sources complained that the return or destruction of the product had been dramatically delayed in international markets, especially Russia.

 

 

Ireland exported more than 130,000 tonnes of pork meat in 2008 to 40 countries, exports which were estimated to be worth more than EUR370 million.

 

 

On January 22, 2009, the Irish Association of Pigmeat Processors sought at an Oireachtas Agriculture Committee meeting for the recall process to be clarified and completed as soon as possible.

 

The committee was told that where possible the product would be rendered in the foreign market but significant quantities would have to be brought back to Ireland for rendering.

 

US$1 = EUR0.758 (Apr 1)