Fifty samples of beef tested in Ireland as part of a European survey have proven negative in relation to the presence of equine DNA.
The 50 products - 47 pre-packed and three non-pre-packed - were randomly tested in Ireland as part of a European wide survey. Products from Ireland, Belgium, Malta, Britain, and Slovakia had all clear results, while products tested in France, Greece, and Germany had positive results.
The news has been welcomed by Fine Gael Galway East TD Paul Connaughton who said it should give consumers “confidence in beef products on sale in Ireland”, while Irish beef producers can “be confident that their product is not being compromised by the presence of horse meat”.
While Dep Connaughton said Ireland was to the fore in exposing this “European-wide scandal”, measures must be taken to ensure this problem is “never repeated”. As a result the Galway East TD is calling for continuous random testing of beef products.
