Brazilian Meat Must be Recalled on Public Health Grounds

Following the introduction of the ban on Brazilian meat last week, IFA is renewing its call for any product in cold stores to be recalled without delay and for the appointment of a new Bord Bia Chair.

Today, members of National Council and the Farm Family & Social Affairs Committee handed in letters to Bord Bia, the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture.

In the letter addressed to the Chair of Bord Bia Larry Murrin, we re-iterated that his position is untenable as he has imported Brazilian beef and chicken. He needs to clarify if his company Dawn Farm Foods continued to import Brazilian meat after the EU Commission flagged this public health ban in May. 

Francie Gorman said IFA believe that his importation of Brazilian meat was not compatible with being Chair of Bord Bia and that his position was untenable.

“Now that the EU Commission has vindicated IFA’s position on Brazilian meat, we believe that his position is even more untenable. In the interests of Bord Bia, we are asking that he steps down as Chair of Bord Bia.”

A letter was also handed into the Dept of Health, requesting Minister Carroll MacNeill to direct the FSAI to instigate a recall of all Brazilian meat that was imported after the announcement in May, but ahead of the ban taking effect last week.

“We are also asking the Health Minister to raise this with other EU Health Ministers as she holds the chair during Ireland’s term of the EU Presidency.”

The final letter was delivered to Minister Martin Heydon, which raised the recall and his support for the Chair of Bord Bia.

“The Minister correctly pointed out last week in Cork that standards are non-negotiable, particularly when it comes to public health. On that basis, he should be fully supportive of our stance on the recall of product. He should also work with other EU Ministers to have similar action taken across Member States.”

The IFA President said the Minister has to reconsider his support for the Chair of Bord Bia.

“Now that the EU Commission has vindicated IFA’s position on Brazilian meat, we believe that a new Chair of Bord Bia is needed to begin the process of rebuilding the credibility of Bord Bia,” he said.