More than half of 120 pork and bacon products tested in butchers around the country were not Irish.
The Irish Farmers Association says it is very disappointed with the initial round of DNA testing in 11 shops in nine different areas.
The IFA observes that, despite the fact that over 80% of the butchers tested were part of the Certified Craft Butchers Programme, none of them displayed the country of origin in-store.
The IFA says a fresh round of testing in butchers shops will begin next month. The group is also calling for greater transparency in the meat supply chain so both butchers and customers who want to 'buy Irish' are not misled and sold imported meat.
Pat O’Flaherty, chairman of the IFA National Pigs and Pigmeat Committee, has been explaining the findings, saying “IFA wants to support local businesses and we appreciate that the local butcher is under pressure. However, that is not an excuse to mislead the consumer on the origin of their meat. We will continue to work with the ACBI [Association of Craft Butchers] to rectify these problems”.
