Coffey calls for DNA meat testing to become mandatory in the EU

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has called for EU guidelines to be put in place to ensure that the DNA testing of meat is required on a continuous basis across the entire European Union. Deputy Coffey made the call as a result of the horse meat scandal that has inflicted serious reputational damage to the meat industry across the continent.

“The Food Safety Authority of Ireland should be commended for having stringent guidelines in place that have lifted the lid on this pan-European food scandal. It is welcome that the European Commission has proposed the implementation of a three month random DNA test for meat products, however I believe that this must be made permanent so as to restore consumer confidence in meat products.

“Farmers in Ireland should have nothing to fear from this process being rolled out because their produce is of the highest standard. In order to protect their industry and their livelihoods we must now meet the challenges that face us on this critical matter. Ireland must continue to take the lead on this issue to reassure consumers that Irish meat is 100 percent guaranteed.

“This industry is vital to Ireland’s economy and we, as a country, have always taken the lead in ensuring that our meat products are of the highest quality and reputational standing. This cannot be diminished in any way and we must ensure that the highest standards in food production are achieved so that consumers feel assured about what they are eating. In Waterford, we have exceptional meat suppliers such as Dawn Meats and Cappoquin Chickens, who employ hundreds of people and deliver local, national and international contracts worth millions of euro every year.

“The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has been to the fore in responding to this food crisis and is leading the European response to the issue. I am calling on the Minister and on the European Commission to make the DNA testing of meat mandatory to restore consumer confidence and ensure the highest standards of food production that will lead to high quality products on our supermarket shelves.”