Last week the North’s Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill announced she had approved an application to allow a beef processor to use the term ‘Irish’ for cattle imported from the south and finished in the north.

However, it’s understood Tesco is against any food labelling which they fear could potentially confuse the consumer and plans to continue with its current labelling system which is compliant with EU rules.

In a statement issued in response to the matter, a Tesco spokesperson said:

“Tesco continues to have a significant commitment to Irish beef farmers working with 15,000 farm families North and South. Tesco has committed to its customers to have simple on pack messaging and simple supply chains. Our beef is labelled in line with EU rules.”

In an online video update, the South’s Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said he was “working intensively” with Minister O’Neill to solve the labelling issue of cattle born in the South and finished in the North.

He added that addressing the issue of low beef prices would be a major priority going into the Autumn.

Tesco's position on labelling has been criticised by ICSA beef chairman Edmond Phelan. “Tesco are treating their consumers like children,” said Mr. Phelan. “We’re not talking here about animals born thousands of miles from where they are finished and slaughtered. There is little or no difference between beef production methods and standards in the Republic and the North, and we find it hard to believe that a British consumer would object to beef from an animal born in County Monaghan and finished in County Down.”

“If labelling really is an issue, then why not come up with a straightforward labelling system such as used in other countries? Italian consumers seem to have no problem understanding the mixed-origin labels on beef from cattle raised in Ireland and finished in Italy.”