CLAIMS by a Belgian newspaper that contaminated British beef was being exported to Africa, labelled as Irish beef, warranted thorough investigation, the Green Party MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, said last night, writes Sean MacConnell Agriculture Correspondent.
The report, in yesterday's editions of De Morgan, quoted South African, Egyptian and Somali sources who claimed that British beef, some with BSE, was being imported with Irish labels so that exporters could qualify for EU subsidies.
Last night, a Department of Agriculture spokesman said that there would be grave concern if the newspaper allegations were true. "We are awaiting any evidence of such wrongdoing. If it is happening outside this country, then we will ask the UK authorities to investigate," he said.
Ms McKenna said: "We already know that in the 10 years since the BSE story emerged, Britain has dumped large quantities of contaminated meat on France and other countries. It would be scandalous if they are now using countries like Somalia, which have been ravaged by war and poverty, to export contaminated British beef, masquerading as Irish."