Operations suspended at Midlands equine slaughter plant
Operations at an equine slaughter plant in the Midlands have been suspended by the Department of Agriculture.
The suspension of operations at the Ossory Meats abattoir in Banagher, Co Offaly, follows identification checks carried out by the department at the plant on March 8 last, when 25 irregularities were found relating to horse passports and microchips.
A report published by the Department of Agriculture this afternoon (Thursday) revealed that, in some cases, while the microchip in the equine matched the passport, the marking on the horse and the passports were very different.
In other cases, horses presented as yearlings were in fact much older, the report added.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has described the results of the investigation as 'totally unacceptable' and 'deeply disturbing'.
An investigation into the practices at the abattoir has already begun, which will examine how and where the irregularities occurred.
It will also focus on the respective roles played by the implicated Passport Issuing Agencies; the vets whose signatures appear on the irregular passports; the people who registered the horses; the traders who supplied the horses for slaughter; and the conduct and management oversight at Ossory Meats.
The Department of Agriculture has said no conclusions can be drawn pending the completion of the investigation.
Until recently, Ossory Meats had been subject to official controls provided by veterinary staff of Offaly County Council.
However, the Minister for Agriculture decided, with the agreement of the County Managers concerned, that his Department would take direct control over the two equine slaughter plants, Ossory and Ashgrove Meats in Limerick from the local authorities.
The Minister said, that, in general, the overall Department of Agriculture investigation did not uncover any illegal introduction of horsemeat into the food chain in Ireland. It had, however, accelerated a review of procedures in relation to horse identification and controls.