ATTEMPTS ARE being made to rescue Ireland’s €200 million beef trade with Italy, which has “almost ground to a halt” because of the dioxin scare, according to industry sources.
Beef producers in Italy are facing difficulties getting Irish-born cattle slaughtered at meat plants, orders for live cattle have been cancelled and the beef trade has slowed to a trickle because of veterinary certification demands from the Italians.
The premium grade trade with Italy had been Ireland’s second most important beef market by volume in the EU until the dioxin scare in December, when all Irish pork products were recalled from the market.
The Italians, who had a major dioxin scandal themselves earlier last year, when toxic substances were found in milk used for making mozzarella in areas around Naples, responded swiftly to the recall.
Within 48 hours, the health authorities had seized and returned 42 shipments of Irish pork and began to turn back shipments of Irish beef, demanding additional certification that these products were also clear of dioxin.
The restriction of 21 Irish beef farms where the contaminated feed had been given in “cake” form to beef animals increased the pressure from Italy, despite assurances from the European Food Safety Authority and Italy’s own health minister, Maurizio Sacconi.
He had countered claims, from the powerful Italian consumer group Codacons that food produced in Ireland for the Christmas market might not be safe, as “false alarms”.
Ireland’s chief veterinary officer Paddy Rogan confirmed last week there were difficulties in the market in Italy, despite the assurances given to his veterinary colleagues in Italy.
“Irish-born cattle being fattened in Italy are not being slaughtered, despite the fact we have delivered certification they are clear of dioxin and have identified only one animal from the 21 restricted herds,” he said.
The Italian authorities are understood to be looking for dioxin-free certification for Irish cattle either slaughtered here or exported for fattening on the basis they may have been fed on contaminated “cake”.
They are also insisting on dioxin tests on beef already in the system and this has dramatically slowed down the delivery of Irish beef to Italian outlets.
“Exports of beef have almost ground to a halt. It is down to a trickle and we are facing very severe administrative and other obstacles getting into the market,” said one industry source who wanted to remain anonymous.
The Irish Farmers Journal reported two weeks ago that the Italian delays were already impacting on the beef market, with the factories offering much lower prices for what had been Ireland’s premium market in the EU.
Bord Bia figures showed 45,000 live cattle were exported to Italy throughout 2008 and in excess of €200 million worth of beef.