County Fermanagh countryside. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has written to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Northern Ireland seeking urgent clarification on the checks and controls applied to imported beef, following the recent recall of Brazilian beef across a number of EU member states.
The recall followed findings that beef consignments originating from Brazil contained banned growth-promoting hormones, raising serious concerns around food safety, traceability and regulatory oversight.
UFU deputy president, Glenn Cuddy, said the incident has understandably caused alarm among consumers and local producers alike.
“This is an extremely serious food safety incident. Northern Ireland farmers operate under some of the highest food safety, animal health, welfare and traceability standards in the world and it is deeply concerning that beef produced under weaker regulatory regimes has been able to pass checks, enter Europe and reach retail shelves,” said the deputy president.
Mr Cuddy said the incident reinforces long-standing concerns raised by the UFU regarding beef imports from countries with differing production standards.
“For many years, the UFU has highlighted concerns about the robustness of production systems and oversight in Brazil,” he continued.
“This recall confirms that these are not theoretical risks they are real, and they undermine both consumer confidence and the integrity of the beef supply chain.”
The UFU has asked the FSA in Northern Ireland to outline what specific checks are currently being applied to Brazilian beef products entering Northern Ireland, whether additional controls have been introduced following the recall, and how the Agency is assuring itself that imported beef meets the same standards required of local producers.
Mr Cuddy also warned that the incident raises wider questions in the context of future trade arrangements, stating, “This episode comes at a time when trade discussions, including the proposed Mercosur agreement, are very much in the public consciousness. It is vital that the Food Standards Agency can clearly demonstrate how beef produced to standards that would be illegal here will be prevented from entering the Northern Ireland market, now and in the future.”
He stressed that the actions of a small number of imports should not be allowed to damage confidence in locally produced food.
“Northern Ireland beef is produced to world-class standards and is fully traceable from farm to fork,” said the deputy president.
“Any failure in import controls risks unfairly undermining the reputation of our local industry, which works tirelessly to meet stringent regulatory requirements.”
The UFU has called for rigorous, transparent and enforceable checks on all beef entering the Northern Ireland market to ensure public health is protected and that local farmers are not undercut by imports produced using practices banned in the UK.
“Consumers deserve absolute confidence in the food on their shelves, and farmers deserve a level playing field. That means robust checks, clear accountability and no compromise on standards,” Mr Cuddy concluded.
