There has been "a dramatic decline" in the use of illegal growth promoters in Irish meat production, according to the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Mr Walsh attributed the decline, and a large drop in antibiotic residues occurring in pork, to increased random sampling and testing.
The figures for the first half of 1997 show that of 45,674 bovine samples, 24 were found to have growth promoters. There was no incidence of clenbuterol (angel dust) contamination. Of 26,902 samples of pork, 480 were found to have antibiotics: the number of positive pig carcasses was 1.4 per cent compared to 12 per cent for the equivalent period last year.
"Consumers can be assured that the Department's efforts will continue, and that those who use these products will be pursued," he said.
Self-regulation within the pork sector had a beneficial effect. His Department, nonetheless, is preparing a new residue-testing plan.
