The North's First Minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, said he is prepared to engage in worldwide lobbying to prove Northern Ireland's meat products are safe amid concern that Northern meat is being linked to the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England.
The North's Minister for Agriculture Michelle Gildernew made similar commitments yesterday ahead of a crucial meeting in Brussels today about establishing a clear distinction between Northern Irish and British beef.
While the European Union has allowed an exemption so that Northern Ireland's meat products can be exported, it is clear that some countries are associating meat products from the North with British beef, and that the "fortress Ireland" tactic is not fully working.
On Monday, a shipment of pork from Grampian Foods in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was rejected by Japan, forcing the company to suspend other shipments to the country.
The company also decided to temporarily halt shipments to the United States and Germany so that the problem could be sorted out.
Hugh McReynolds, managing director of the company, which employs 550 people, said the issue was causing concern. He said that exports to the US were worth £3.5 million annually and £1 million annually to Japan.
"The European exemption on Northern Ireland meat products and the fact that Northern Ireland is a separate entity from Great Britain needs to be clearly communicated throughout the world," he told The Irish Times.
He hoped that that distinction would be established at a meeting in Brussels today of European vets and other officials who will be addressing the various problems caused by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth in England.
It also emerged yesterday that the outbreak was threatening milk exports from Northern Ireland. The Dale Farm dairy company warned that its exports to various parts of the world could be jeopardised because of Northern Irish beef being linked with British beef.
Dr Paisley contacted the Japanese ambassador to London, Yoshiji Nogami, yesterday to assure him that Northern Ireland's meat products were safe, a move that was welcomed by Mr McReynolds.
Dr Paisley said he was aware of the difficulties, but that in terms of the foot-and-mouth outbreak people should know there was "clear blue water" between Northern Ireland and Britain.
"As people know, it is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Northern Ireland is not affected by foot-and-mouth," he said.
Dr Paisley said he was prepared and willing to engage in "worldwide lobbying" to get this message across and to safeguard the North's agriculture industry.
Ms Gildernew added: "I spoke [yesterday] with Mr McReynolds from Grampian to reassure him we are doing all we can to resolve this situation.
"The matter is being raised with the Japanese authorities and the USA administration, advising them that we are free from foot-and-mouth disease and that it is business as usual."
