There has been one case of non-compliance by a factory in relation to carcass trimming involving three carcasses in 2019, according to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.
Commenting on the matter in response to a parliamentary question, the minister said that an on-the-spot fine was issued to the plant in question.
“In December 2018, my department published the names of the factories where, following inspection in that year, non-compliances were found regarding carcass trim specification,” Minister Creed said.
To date in 2019, there has been one non-compliance found with the carcass trim specification in relation to three carcasses in a single plant.
“An on-the spot fine was issued in relation to this incident,” the minister added.
He noted that details of the non-compliance will be published on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website in due course.
“Any payments made to a farmer supplier, including in relation to issues such as this, are a matter between the farmer/supplier and the processor/plant,” the minister concluded.
Back in December, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine revealed that there were 19 instances of excessive carcass trimming in 2018 involving three meat companies: Kepak Clare; Emerald Isle Foods; and Kildare Chilling Company.
No fines were issued in 2017.