A statement by Irish Minister Simon Coveney reports on revelations about the mislabelling of processed meat in Ireland during the investigation into why horse DNA was found in "beef" being sold in Ireland and other countries.

Investigating the source of horse DNA

While the investigation did not uncover any illegal introduction of horse meat into the food chain in Ireland, we have accelerated our review of procedures in relation to horse identification and controls.

"Two months ago to the day (on 14 January) my Department was first informed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland of its finding of 29% equine DNA in a single beef burger sold in Tesco and manufactured by the Silvercrest plant. This finding in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) meat authenticity survey resulted in the immediate launching of an official investigation.

This investigation, initially involving the FSAI and my Department’s veterinary inspectorate and audit team, was broadened to include the Department’s Special Investigation Unit and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Ireland’s reputation as a food producing country rests on all participants fulfilling this responsibility. Any potential risk to that reputation, albeit in a relatively small segment of the food sector, was the basis for the immediate launching of the official investigation and for the actions I have taken in the course of the investigation.

In general, while the investigation did not uncover any illegal introduction of horsemeat into the food chain in Ireland, we have accelerated our review of procedures in relation to horse identification and controls. We believe there is need for significant changes here to move horse traceability to the same level as cattle identification, where systems were developed in response to BSE in the mid 1990’s. These changes are dealt with in the report and will be pursued by my Department.

In conclusion and in relation to this entire problem, I believe the fact the official control system in Ireland uncovered what is a global problem in terms of the serious mislabelling of beef and the manner in which we have addressed the issue shows Ireland to be at the forefront of control regimes. In time and when the issue is fully addressed at EU level it will stand to us in continuing to build the reputation of Irish food products.

This is a summary of the report by Minister Simon Coveney made on March 14, 2013