THE Government's performance on the BSE crisis was sharply criticised by the Fianna Fail spokesman on agriculture, Mr Brian Cowen. "It is ironic that those who made their political reputation out of ballyragging the beef trade are not now prepared to defend the industry against unfounded accusations," he said.

Mr Cowen was moving his part's private member's motion calling on the Government to restore consumer confidence in Irish beef at home and abroad by taking the necessary political action. From the outset, he said, Fianna Fail had sought a concerted political campaign at ministerial level in the markets where sales of beef were at risk, and a comprehensive response from the food advisory board to address the concerns of consumers.

Rejecting the criticism, the Minister, Mr Yates, said there were many dimensions to the crisis, and despite its complexity, the Government had been clear sighted in its objectives. "These are to have effective and sound controls and to apply them properly, to protect and assure our own consumers, to identify Irish beef as a distinct product, to restore our position in international markets and to protect and assist beef processors and producers."

Debate on the motion resumes tonight.