Irish BSE Butchers Ordered To Stop
IRELAND - FIVE butchers and a supermarket have been ordered to stop selling beef that was found to contain spinal parts that could transmit the fatal BSE infection.
6 September 2007
3 minute read
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that 11 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of August for breaches of food safety legislation pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998. A total of five Closure Orders were served by environmental health officers (EHOs) during the month.
"It is highly unorthodox for unauthorised premises to handle bovine carcases from animals over 24 months of age or to remove vertebral column from such animals without the necessary controls being in place."
Dr John O’Brien, Chief Executive, FSAI
The FSAI noted in particular that six Prohibition Orders were served on retail butcher outlets by EHOs in the Dublin North Eastern Region during the month of August for not complying with specified risk material (SRM) legislation. SRM legislation requires that retail butcher outlets must be authorised to remove the vertebral column from bovine animals aged over 24 months. This legislation also prohibits the sale of beef on the bone from bovine animals aged over 24 months. Vertebral column SRM may only be removed and handled by retail butcher outlets that are specifically authorised to do so.
The six Prohibition Orders were served by EHOs in the HSE Dublin North Eastern Region on Eurospar, West End, Virginia, Cavan; Des Byrne Butchers, Unit 4 Holmpatrick Shopping Centre, Shenick Road, Skerries, Co. Dublin; Baxter Butchery, 37 Clonard Street, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin; Sean Browne & Sons, 19 Bridge Street, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin; Premier Meats Supply Company Limited, 31 Ashtown Grove, Navan Road, Dublin 7 and Joe Carney Meats, 10 Old Cabra Road, Dublin 7.
Commenting on these Orders, Dr John O’Brien, Chief Executive, FSAI, stressed the importance of stringent compliance with SRM controls.
“Retail butcher outlets that are permitted to remove SRM vertebral column must be authorised by the HSE. It is highly unorthodox for unauthorised premises to handle bovine carcases from animals over 24 months of age or to remove vertebral column from such animals without the necessary controls being in place. We will be carrying out further checks on retail butcher outlets to verify that the relevant legislation is being complied with, and to ensure that those retail butcher outlets who are removing SRM vertebral column have the correct authorisation to do so,” he stated.
“The 11 Enforcement Orders served in August represent the highest number of Orders served in one month since 2002. All food business operators have a legal obligation to ensure the food they serve is safe for consumption. Every Enforcement Order undermines consumer confidence in food safety which affects not only the premises involved, but the industry as a whole. We are urging all food businesses to adhere to best food safety and hygiene practices,” he added.
Details of the food businesses served with these Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website and Closure Orders will remain listed for a period of three months from the date of when the premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.
