Irish pork industry in tatters for Christmas

It is now estimated that Irish pork contaminated with toxic dioxins could have been exported to as many as 25 countries, including France and the Netherlands according to government officials. While the recall of all domestic pork products from shops, restaurants and food processing plants is no doubt a cause of annoyance for consumers, the fallout of this for the Irish pork industry coming up to the lucrative Christmas market cannot be overestimated. The Irish Exporters Association said the total exports of pig meat and related added value products such as pizzas, pies and sandwiches containing pork was about 750 million euros. It said 63% of this went to the UK.

While the sales will eventually pick up again, the timing of this incident could not really have been any worse. The consequences of the recall are likely to be very severe. The recall itself is likely to cost tens of millions of euro but the damage to the pork industry at home and abroad could be even more significant. Within 12 hours of the recall being announced, the story was running on in excess of 400 news websites all over the world, from New Zealand to California.