Environment Minister: Horsemeat scandal 'will impact exports'

on 16/01/2013 09:47:49

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has admitted there may be a short-term impact on Irish exports following the discovery of traces of horsemeat in burgers on sale in supermarkets here.

However, Minister Hogan said that the discovery proves that the system of checks in the Irish food industry is working well.

Horse DNA was found in burgers on sale in Tesco, Dunnes, Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland.

Minister Hogan says an investigation by the Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will get to the bottom of it and make the current system even more robust, but he admits there will be a knock on effect in the short term.

"Obviously this is going to have short-term issues for the export of product," he said.

"But the most important thing is that the statutory authorities here that are charged with responsibility ensuring that there is no damage to public health that they are in a position to quickly reassure customers that it is a small source of product."