Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

A number of issues arise in respect of this matter, one of which relates to Members on this side of the House not being obliged to second-guess the Government in respect of the action it took with regard to the pigmeat sector. There is also the issue of compensation. The Taoiseach referred to the EU providing assistance in this regard, but then it looked bad when the European Commission was obliged to clarify the rules for him. There are market support measures that can be provided in the form of aids to private storage, APS. However, the Taoiseach got it wrong in calling on Brussels to provide aid or to subsidise such aid. The responsibility in this regard is national in nature. The position was the same in Belgium when a similar food scare occurred some years ago.

The Government must face up to the fact that it will be obliged to compensate those affected by what has clearly been a failure in the regulation of the sector, particularly in the context of feed input. There are many controls in place in respect of manufacturers and farmers. However, it appears that there is a gap in the system of control.

The Minister of State referred to superior traceability for beef. His comments in this regard were absolutely correct. He also stated that farms where suspect feed was used have been restricted and that animals from those farms will not be released to the market. The Minister of State further indicated that there is no requirement for beef to be recalled. Different responses were required in respect of the two sectors affected by this problem. The traceability system relating to beef is extremely comprehensive. For example, it has been established that since September 3,000 cattle were produced on the 45 farms affected. Much of that beef has already been consumed. There was a case for the recall of such beef in circumstances where it could be traced and had not been consumed. If that was done, it would highlight the validity of our traceability system and a line could be drawn under this matter.

The Minister of State indicated that cattle from these farms are being restricted while further tests are carried out. A logical extension of that would seem to be that there should be a call-back in respect of beef which emanated from such farms during the specified period. The names of the farms involved have not been provided or made public. If the traceability system is to work, manufacturers and processors should be informed as to the identity of these farms. Manufacturers and processors have the ability to trace beef back to source and if they can do so, it will assist them in their dealings with their customers in European markets.

I was informed this morning that Irish beef exporters who supplied products to German supermarkets were asked to recall and collect the beef on foot of concerns that have arisen. There is no problem in the beef sector. However, statements were made about tests showing PCB levels of two to three times above the legal limit. While the benchmark is given as the extraordinary excess in the case of pork, the figures being provided still look wrong. It is difficult to explain to supermarkets throughout Europe that there is no difficulty with Irish beef.

The Government must be more precise and clear in how it approaches this issue. The recall of beef that is still in storage or transit would be a positive development.