Ireland-Contaminated Irish pork being held on three continents.

IRELAND-CONTAMINATED PORK STILL IN CIRCULATION.

Almost four months after the crisis began only €45 million has been paid out of the Government’s €180 million contingency fund for the return or destruction of the products; afact that industry representatives say is damaging the reputation of Irish pork and increasing the costs involved.

Pork held on 3 continents

Industry sources complained yesterday that the return or destruction of the product had been dramatically delayed in international markets, especially Russia. According to one shipping agent, Irish pork products were being held in ports in three continents as negotiations continued on either the repatriation of the product or its destruction.

On January 22nd the Irish Association of Pigmeat Processors sought at an Oireachtas Agriculture Committee meeting for the recall process to be clarified and completed as soon as possible. The committee was told that where possible the product would be rendered in the foreign market but significant quantities would have to be brought back to Ireland for rendering.