The Taoiseach must “urgently raise” the latest developments in the horsemeat controversy at EU level, according to Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Éamon Ó Cuív.
The Galway West TD was speaking after the recent revelations that French frozen beef lasagne had tested positive for more than 60 per cent horsemeat.
“This confirms it is now a European-wide issue,” he said. “This comes after news that Aldi and Asda have withdrawn more frozen beef product from their shelves because of the possible presence of equine DNA.”
Dep Ó Cuív said the Taoiseach and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney should raise the issue with the Council of Ministers and the European Commission and call for a pan-European check on all processed beef products, involving a comprehensive testing programme into how equine DNA got into beef products.
Dep Ó Cuív was also concerned about the possible presence of the veterinary drug ‘bute’ in beef product, which could pose a risk to people’s health.
“This needs to be ruled out as soon as possible to allay any fears that products people are consuming is a risk to their health,” he said. “There is an absolute need to get on top of this
