The Department of Agriculture and Food has said changes in the rules covering the slaughter of animals for human consumption in four western counties as a result of the clerical officers' dispute have not put the consumer at risk.
The Civil Public and Services Union yesterday accused the Minister, Mr Walsh, of putting consumer safety at risk rather than negotiating a resolution with the union.
"The integrity of the Irish food chain and the health of the consumer are now at risk following the Minister's decision to suspend the slaughter permit regulations in Cos Kerry, Galway, Limerick and Mayo," said a statement from Mr Kevin Gaughran, assistant general secretary of the union.
Last Friday the Minister changed the regulations covering the slaughter permit, which could not be issued in the counties because nearly 250 Department staff have been involved in a dispute over promotional opportunities. A Department spokesman said the effect of the changes was that the paper trail for the status and identification of the animal would not be available.
"However, the animals will have ante-mortem and post-mortem checks by veterinary officers, who will also be checking to ensure the animals are under 30 months old based on their ear tags and passports," he said.
"The only difference will be that the details of the animal will not be removed from the Central Identification Computer when it is slaughtered, but all details will be retained until the dispute ends."
However, Mr Gaughran said the Minister's action meant key checks in regard to ownership, registration, disease status and passport identity were no longer being carried out.
"The Minister is therefore unable to fully guarantee the integrity of the food chain, with potentially damaging consequences for the Irish consumer," he said.