The Taoiseach today sought to downplay tests showing cattle contaminant levels over the legal limit and said talks are ongoing with the EU over compensation for the pig industry.
Tests on cattle that ate contaminated feed show the presence of illegal subtances in a number of cases but pose no risk to public health, the Department of Agriculture said today.
Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the finding that the three herds were over legal limits had “enormous implications”. He called on the Taoiseach to explain how the Government aimed to restore public confidence in the meat industry.
But Mr Cowen said the herd results did not carry such implications, adding the Food Safety Authority of Ireland had made it clear that the adverse findings over three herds related to “technical non-compliance”. He said the levels of contaminants in those cases did not represent a risk to the public.
Mr Cowen said there was no need for recalls due to the tiny numbers of cattle affected. "The number of cattle in the herds identified as using this feed is less than 0.08 per cent of 1 per cent of the total herd."
He said it was important to listen “to what the facts and scientific evidence is”.
Referring to the pig industry, the Taoiseach said that the Government was in talks with processors for parameters on a general scheme to be submitted to the EU, and that the Government would make the case for any scheme drawn up.
He said the priority was to resume exporting pork as 50 per cent of total pork output was exported, 80 per cent to Britain.
Responding, Mr Kenny called on the Taoiseach to clarify whether the EU had ruled out a compensation scheme or not and said it would be “incredibly difficult” for the Government to restore consumer confidence.
The Fine Gael leader also asked Mr Cowen whether he was satisfied with the role of the Department of Agriculture and other agencies in complying with EU regulations.
The Taoiseach said all precautions were taken in relation to the pork crisis and beef tests. “Day after day, we see the work undertaken [by the department]. The Department of Agriculture are expert in this area, unfortunately, due to what we have experienced in the past.
"I want to thank the Minister [for Agriculture] and colleagues, and all of the people who work under the State aegis. We have had a lot of talk, in another context, about public services . . . I want to thank them for their expertise, for the clarity of the advice we are receiving."
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore urged the Government to urgently get pork products back on shop shelves and called for a statement from the Minister for Agriculture and the European Union stating Irish meat was safe for consumption.
Mr Cowen said such assurances could be given once processing was up and running again. The Taoiseach also declared there would be “zero tolerance” of any suggestion of meat contamination in future tests.
