Red meat import checks at Belfast port questioned

In a statement on Friday, the Ulster Farmers Union said there were “shortcomings” in the inspections procedure by DAERA, and that more resources were needed for checks on imported red meat.

UFU deputy president, Victor Chestnutt, said that only 5% of containers were subject to inspections by authorities at Belfast port.

However, in response a DAERA spokesperson said: “The Department rejects the UFU comments."

The spokesperson said that 100% of animal origin products are subject to “documentary and identity checks”, but that physical checks are carried out on a “risk basis”.

However, an impending issue could be requirements for additional resources at UK ports after Brexit, due to the need for more checks on all products if the UK government remains committed to leaving the EU Customs Union.

Labelling

The UFU has also called into question country of origin labelling for meat going for certain products in catering and butchers’ shops.

“Over 3,500t of frozen red meat came through Belfast port from outside Europe between January 2016 and May 2017. Most was from New Zealand, Botswana and Australia,” Chestnutt said.

He said that the labelling rules had “less muscle” in these areas. “This is an area we want the Food Standards Agency, DAERA and the Environmental Health Authorities to address.”