The Department of Agriculture and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have confirmed that an investigation is under way into alleged irregularities in the horsemeat trade.

The Sunday Times reported that the Department of Agriculture’s special investigations unit (SIU) has been trying to trace meat from at least 30 horses “sold into abattoirs using bogus paperwork”.

It alleged that horses that were unfit for human consumption were sold into the horsemeat market.

A Department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal: “An investigation is ongoing – the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is not in a position to make any further comment at this time.”

Latest figures from the Department show that 7,748 horses were slaughtered for human consumption at approved premises in Ireland last year (2017).

The number is on par with 2016, when 7,618 horses were killed and exported.

Most Irish horsemeat is exported to France and Belgium as carcases for further processing.