Butchers give Beef Guarantee
April 3 1996
Butchers in Castlebar are "steaking" their reputations on the quality the Irish beef they have on sale.
They have formed an organisation, "Castlebar Quality Butchers" with the aim of providing guarantees on the origins of their beef products and that they are BSE-free.
Only members of the Association will display a plaque on their shop windows indicating they are part of the group.
They want to ensure consumers of the strict controls which they are implementing. All of their beef comes from two year old heifers or younger all of which have been raised and slaughtered locally. All of the animals are raised locally and fed on both grass foodstuffs and cereal based supplies.
Mayo County Council Veterinary Officer, Mr. Cathal Walsh said there has never been an incidence of BSE in Mayo. He said according to the Director of Veterinary Service of the Department of Agriculture, the youngest animal to be diagnosed with BSE in any part of Ireland had been four years.
Mr. Walsh added: "I have never seen a cow killed for beef in a County Council Abattoir in my five years here. Heifer beef is the beef I have seen killed for consumption.
The IFA will hold an urgent meeting in the Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar on Wednesday night (April 10) to discuss the beef impasse and difficulties with Area Aid.
Connaught Telegraph - News - April 1996
