Press Release 7^TH Dec 2008

Pigmeat Recall and Export Damage

The Food & Drink Export Ireland (FDEI), part of the Irish Exporters Association ( IEA) has today said that it is extremely concerned with the impact of the ‘Pig meat Recall’ on Irish food exporters . The members of Food & Drink Export Ireland say the implications go considerably beyond the 300 million euro of direct pig meat exports. The other exports likely to be affected are;

>Pizza producers, where there is salami and bacon toppings > Food service companies producing a range of sandwiches using bacon products > speciality pork pie producer and hamper producers.

The total exports of pig meat and related added value products is estimated to be 550 Million euro.

The FDEI /IEA stated that 63% of the pig meat, and added value processed pork products are exported to the UK, where exporters are already under severe distress due to the impact of the rapidly weakening sterling.

John Whelan, Chief Executive of the IEA , stated today;

‘’ It is important that the Minister Smith and his officials at the Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food , rapidly clear up all issues associated with this unfortunate incident , and in particular the issue of the recall of any exports . ‘’

‘’The Department of Agriculture and the Food Safety Authority have acted rapidly to protect the Irish consumer, but they must now focus attention of safe guarding the export markets.

‘’Severe damage to our export trade is inevitable, and the Government and Bord Bia must ensure it rapidly moves to support the industry to contain and respond with positive marketing in the aftermath, of this devastating incident.’’

The FDEI / IEA state that its members look forward to working closely with the authorities (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Food Safety Authority ) , to resolve this matter to both protect the consumer and minimize the damage to export industry’’

Irish food exporters operate to the highest EU and international standards and will be
engaging with the Government and other stakeholders to quickly put in place plans, both operational and financial, that will ensure export business continuity.

END

For further information , contact;

John Whelan , CEO, IEA on mobile: 087 9271243 or email: jfwhelan@irishexporters.ie