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Dioxins found in Irish cattle Dioxins found in Irish cattle
(about 2 hours later)
Almost 50 cattle herds across Ireland have been fed contaminated feed which has sparked a scare over pork products.Almost 50 cattle herds across Ireland have been fed contaminated feed which has sparked a scare over pork products.
Three cattle herds in the Republic have tested positive for dioxins, but the Irish government says the levels do not pose a public health concern.Three cattle herds in the Republic have tested positive for dioxins, but the Irish government says the levels do not pose a public health concern.
Eight of the herds are in Northern Ireland, and the Food Standards Agency said the farms were under restriction, so none of animals would be processed. Nine of the herds are in Northern Ireland, and the Food Standards Agency said the farms were under restriction, so none of animals would be processed.
The FSA said the beef on sale in Northern Ireland "was entirely safe".The FSA said the beef on sale in Northern Ireland "was entirely safe".
The Stormont agriculture and health ministers and the FSA are due to make a statement later on Tuesday afternoon. Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said nine cattle herds had been affected in Northern Ireland, including one beef and dairy herd.
Earlier, the agency gave the NI pork industry the all-clear and said it could resume operations. "With regard to dairy products, one farm has been identified as having fed contaminated feed to dairy cattle," he said.
The agency said it was confident no pigs had been fed contaminated feed. "All milk from this farm has been prevented from entering the food chain."
Mr McGimpsey said the results of tests on carcasses of animals thought to have been given the feed were expected at the end of the week.
Earlier, the Food Standards Agency gave the Northern Ireland pork industry the all-clear as it was confident no pigs had been fed contaminated feed.
Speaking about the beef on Tuesday, FSA deputy director Maria Jennings said she could not "rule out that beef from those herds has gone into the food chain".Speaking about the beef on Tuesday, FSA deputy director Maria Jennings said she could not "rule out that beef from those herds has gone into the food chain".
However, she said the chance of contaminants in beef would be much lower than in pork.However, she said the chance of contaminants in beef would be much lower than in pork.
Ms Jennings said cattle would be fed a variety of feeds as they are not as intensively reared as pigs and the way they break down food was different, making the risk of contamination much lower.Ms Jennings said cattle would be fed a variety of feeds as they are not as intensively reared as pigs and the way they break down food was different, making the risk of contamination much lower.
'No beef recall''No beef recall'
In the Republic of Ireland, tests on beef herds which ate contaminated animal feed have come back positive but officials say there is no risk to public health.In the Republic of Ireland, tests on beef herds which ate contaminated animal feed have come back positive but officials say there is no risk to public health.
A news conference in Dublin, organised by the Food Safety Authority and the Department of Agriculture, heard that out of 11 herds tested, three were "technically non-complaint".A news conference in Dublin, organised by the Food Safety Authority and the Department of Agriculture, heard that out of 11 herds tested, three were "technically non-complaint".
There is to be no public recall of beef.There is to be no public recall of beef.
The Irish government said it would take three measures: any animals in herds above the legal limit will be taken out of the food and animal feed chain; any products from these animals will not be released into the market; and the European Commission will be informed of the results.The Irish government said it would take three measures: any animals in herds above the legal limit will be taken out of the food and animal feed chain; any products from these animals will not be released into the market; and the European Commission will be informed of the results.
Animals from 34 other herds are currently restricted.Animals from 34 other herds are currently restricted.
The Food Safety Authority said if tests come back within acceptable limits those animals would be released into the food chain. The Irish Food Safety Authority said if tests come back within acceptable limits those animals would be released into the food chain.
If they are unacceptable, the animals would not be released.If they are unacceptable, the animals would not be released.