Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is aware tests showed 75% equine DNA in Polish-labelled raw material at Rangeland Foods in Monaghan. The Minister has requested a special investigation unit at the Department to pursue this along with the Garda. Obviously there is information which leads the Department and the Minister to make this decision. The focus is on the full supply chain involved. The Minister has been before the committee since 3 p.m. dealing in a full, transparent and comprehensive fashion with all of the questions which need to be asked and answered to ascertain the truth about this. He has also been in contact on a very regular basis with the Polish authorities and has invited a Polish team to visit Ireland to assist in the inquiries on how this could have gotten into the system in the first place. The FSAI is liaising with the Northern Ireland food safety authority.

It is important not to prejudice the outcome of any investigation in any way by jumping to conclusions which might not be accurate. The FSAI has indicated there is no reason to suggest there is any food safety concern involved. I heard statements about that this morning. Rangeland Foods itself notified the Department. The Department inspectors entered the plant last Friday and took samples, as the Deputy is aware, which confirmed 75% equine DNA in a Polish-labelled raw material ingredient. In this case the Polish-labelled raw material was imported through a meat trader based in Ireland. Production has been voluntarily suspended at Rangeland Foods pending the outcome of the investigation. The company has indicated that none of this product has entered the food chain and that only Irish ingredients are used for product here. The special investigation unit is investigating this serious issue in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the FSAI. I would not like to prejudice the outcome of this.

As Deputy Martin is well aware, the FSAI has an exceptional name in terms of its independence, the way it does its business and the very high level of testing which now applies here. Changes will apply from this situation but it is necessary in the interests of the consumer, the industry and the jobs in the industry that the veracity be established, the truth be known and that action be taken quickly, conclusively and comprehensively. This is the situation being dealt with by the Minister.

I heard Pat McDonagh on the radio this morning speaking about Supermacs which carried out its own testing which was similar to that carried out by the FSAI. Clearly no equine ingredient was found there, which is reassurance for his very many consumers.

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