Christmas turkeys had a short-lived flight for freedom last week, when the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) provided €1.2m at the 11th hour to settle a funding dispute between it and local authorities which could have ended in 100,000 homes being without a Christmas turkey.

The County and City Management Association (CCMA) use the FSAI funding, provided by the Department of Health, to manage and pay for vets who certify small-scale abattoirs, but the CCMA had complained repeatedly of funding cuts with talks reaching a stalemate.

Contract

The row had rumbled on all year, with the contract extended three times and feathers flying on both sides.

The situation appeared to have reached roasting point and, as reported last week by the Irish Farmers Journal, it looked like 176 small abattoirs and 120 local butchers would be forced to close at the end of November.

The FSAI managed to find a miracle €1.2m at the bottom of its Christmas stocking last Friday and the dispute was resolved

Farmers and small-scale producers who sold direct to customers were concerned that their seasonal business would be adversely affected and they would be left in limbo without a way to kill the birds with Christmas orders already in.

However, the 100,000 Christmas turkeys and geese killed every year had their hopes dashed and their wings clipped when word came the dispute was over.

The FSAI managed to find a miracle €1.2m at the bottom of its Christmas stocking last Friday and the dispute was resolved.

Head of development with Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland Dave Lang told the Irish Farmers Journal that the funding announcement brought a welcome sigh of relief for butchers across the country.

“In turn, the CCMA has agreed to continue their inspections for the foreseeable future. This is great news for everyone coming into the busy festive season. Turkey will be back on the dinner plate this Christmas,” he said.