October 19, 2007

Irish official blasts EC for "ignoring" Ireland's findings in Brazilian beef

Irish consumers have been ignored by the European Commission in the Brazilian beef import debate, according to Colm Burke Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South.

Burke said the Commission failed to account that beef imported from Brazil meets the same high standards that are imposed on Irish and EU producers.

In a written question to the Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, the MEP stressed the disturbing report presented to the European Parliament by the Irish Farming Association (IFA), which indicated a failure by the Commission to ensure that the origins and safety of beef coming from Brazil are properly investigated and recorded.

In the letter said, MEP Burke said: "Over the last number of months there has been serious and alarm about the importation of beef from Brazil. It has become a major health concern. No effort has been made to protect Irish consumers, while Irish beef producers are losing out."

He demanded a detailed explanation as to how the Commission can expect consumers to trust beef products from Brazil when "there is no traceability whatsoever prior to the 90 days before it is exported to Europe".

MEP Burke said he is "extremely concerned at evidence reported by IFA of illegal movement of cattle or absence of controls on their movement and cutting out of tags."

Most worryingly of all is the apparent widespread use of hormone growth promoters, he stated.

"Ireland was forced to clamp down on this illegal practice during the 1980s, after the "angel dust" scandals, and consequently we have one of the most stringent control regimes in the world and the highest quality beef," said MEP Burke.

This, he said makes a "mockery of Ireland's efforts to ensure farm-to-fork food safety if third country beef can reach our super-market shelves without undergoing any adequate inspections".

Burke added the Commission has confirmed to the IFA in the Parliament that residue testing is now only in the process of being implemented. That means it is only now that they gave guarantee that the rules are implemented in Brazil. He said European consumers deserve to have the same high standards applied as those which apply to beef produced in the EU.