NORTHERN RESPONSE:STORMONT MINISTERS have attempted to clarify a confused situation regarding the safety of pork produced on Northern farms.
Minister for Agriculture Michelle Gildernew and Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey insisted in the Assembly that a co-ordinated approach by their departments would provide clarity as soon as possible.
Pork products produced on both sides of the Border were taken off the shelves in shops yesterday. Supplies have been put in storage pending clarification from the authorities.
Ms Gildernew said: "I want to ensure the Health Minister is fully briefed so that decisions can be taken and consumers can be kept informed." Mr McGimpsey told Assembly members he believed the health risk was low and that the public were confused over the most appropriate course of action.
"I have requested the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to issue urgent advice that retailers should temporarily remove any pork or pork products processed in Northern Ireland from their shelves," he said.
"As soon as the relevant agencies have determined which, if any, products are contaminated then these [other] products can safely be returned to shelves."
He said the situation was "rapidly evolving". Consumers have been advised that pork purchased since Friday should be kept in the fridge rather than destroyed.
Efforts are continuing to try to trace where contaminated feed from the Republic was distributed.
It was thought late yesterday that some of the contaminated feed was distributed to a pig feed wholesaler. This means that possibly many more farms than the original nine identified by the authorities were sold the feed.