Mayo Farmers must be protected from Brazilian fakes

Cllr Keith Martin, who is chairman of the Westport Farmer’s and Craft Market, says that news of a meat processing company that was convicted of passing Brazilian beef off as Irish produce, highlights the difficulties faced by farmers here in Mayo and Ireland in trying to compete with imported beef.

Cllr Martin’s says while he welcomes the fact that this case ended up in a conviction, the fact that this is only the second such case of its kind highlights the lack of enforcement that there is in this whole area.

Cllr Martin also says that 'substantial transformation’, whereby a primary product can enter Ireland, be processed in some way and subsequently branded, quite legally, as an Irish product should be made illegal because consumers are “being duped into buying what they perceive to be an Irish Product.

“At a time when increased consolidation of the agrifood sector is driving the market, we must not forget the importance of ensuring that consumer interests are maintained. We must also continue to ensure that the protection of consumer health lies at the core of agriculture and food policy. People must trust that what they are eating is what they wanted and not some import being passed off as Irish.

"Between 2005 and 2006, the agrifood sector accounted for 163,400 jobs, or 8.1% of the working population. Irish agrifood exports accounted for more than €8billion. This is too important to be allowed to continue. The government must act now to ensure consumer confidence in the meat industry and to protect the farmers who are producing an internationally recognised quality product.”