McAdam Food Products Ltd is continuing its High Court action against the ABP Food Group for defamation and will appeal the security of costs ruling made against them. McAdam Food Products Ltd is bringing a defamation case against ABP after being named by ABP in a press statement as one of the suppliers from whom it had sourced contaminated beef during the horsemeat crisis. The statement was issued on 5 February 2013, at the height of the food scandal.

Martin McAdam of McAdam Food Products Ltd has maintained that the claims are false and have “wiped out” his business.

ABP has flatly rejected the claims made by McAdam Food Products Ltd.

Justice Nicholas Kearns has ruled in favour of the ABP Food Group in a security-of-costs hearing.

This means that McAdam Food Products Ltd must provide proof that it can meet the financial costs from any legal action. Justice Kearns said that McAdam Food Products Ltd was unable to provide evidence that shows why the company should not give proof of security of costs.