Health Concerns Cause Total Irish Pork Recall

Health Concerns Cause Total Irish Pork Recall
By Tom Rivers London 07 December 2008

A total pork-product recall from Ireland has been implemented after slaughterhouse tests confirmed high levels of a cancer-causing toxin in meat. The substance has come from contaminated feed and is a big blow to Ireland's domestic and export pig industry.

Irish pig producers are calling it an absolute disaster.

An international warning has gone out, and all Irish pork items produced since September 1st are being recalled.

The strict move followed the discovery of high levels of dioxins in routine meat samples.

The Food Standards Agency will meet later to assess if Northern Ireland pork products are affected by a contamination outbreak in the Republic.

All pork products made in the Republic of Ireland since September have been recalled by the Irish authorities.

The action was taken after dioxins were found in slaughtered pigs thought to have eaten contaminated feed.

Tests showed some pork products contained up to 200 times more dioxins than the recognised safety limit.

Joe McDonald from the Ulster Farmers' Union said clear guidance was needed from the FSA in Belfast.

"This is a very, very important time of the year for pig farmers and it is very important the public are confident about the produce they are buying," he said.