5 Feb 2013, 19:04
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine this afternoon received a detailed briefing on the on-going investigation into the authenticity of beef burgers.
5 February 2013
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD and Professor Alan Reilly, CEO of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) outlined the timeline of events and the lessons learned to date.
Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “Our Committee has followed this story closely, and has been particularly concerned by the alarming revelation last night that a sample of raw material from the Rangeland Foods plant contained 75 percent equine DNA. We acknowledge the Minister’s comments that there is no question of a shortage of resources at his Department in progressing and concluding the investigation.
“We received a thorough briefing from the Minister and Prof Reilly on the timeline and nature of the investigation so far. The Minister outlined that a thorough, secure and transparent investigation is imperative to restore consumer confidence in processed Irish beef, which has been undermined by these on-going issues. Our Committee heard that the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Department’s Special Investigation Unit in the uncovering any criminality or fraud in the case. Enhanced engagement and cooperation with the Polish authorities is also required.
“Above all, our Committee agrees with the Minister that the investigation does not drag on one day longer than is required. Many questions remain outstanding but it is vitally important that this controversy is resolved in a clearheaded way. Any evidence produced as part of the investigation must stand up to the most rigorous of scrutiny. The Committee, for our part, will continue to engage with the Minister, his officials and the FSAI in the coming weeks. We intend to monitor developments as they occur and keep open our options as to what steps we take next.”
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership
Deputies:
Tom Barry,
Pat Deering, (Vice-Chair)
Martin Ferris,
Andrew Doyle, (Chair)
Martin Heydon,
Colm Keaveney
Michael McNamara,
Eamon Ó Cuiv,
Thomas Pringle
Senators:
Michael Comiskey,
Paschal Mooney,
Pat O’Neill,
Mary Ann O’Brien,
Brian Ó Domhnaill,
Susan O’Keeffe