Horsemeat in food chain is 'worrying' (From South Wales Guardian)

Horsemeat in food chain is 'worrying'

9:00am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News

THE leader of Carmarthenshire county council has admitted he is “worried” by the fact horsemeat has ended up in the nation’s food chain.

Cllr Kevin Madge said while everything was being done to combat the problem, it was clear some meat had been contaminated.

He was responding to Plaid county councillor Tyssul Evans who had questioned why the local authority had withdrawn its meat supply for schools and social care establishments – just over a week after head of public protection Phillip Davies maintained there was no danger of contamination.

“I was glad to read there was apparently no danger, but ten days later came another story stating that horsemeat could have ended up in the meat we supply to schools and OAPs after all,” said Cllr Evans.

“I was disappointed to read something completely different to that original statement.

“The only good thing to have come out of all this is that the horsemeat scare has undoubtedly strengthened the trade of local butchers.”

Cllr Madge replied he had initially been given assurances no horsemeat could have entered the system, yet that changed when it emerged traces of horsemeat had been found in minced beer supplied by Welsh Bros and moves had been subsequently taken as a precaution.

“It is worrying,” he told Cllr Evans.

“There’s no doubt that horsemeat has been eaten for some time in this country, there are conmen out there putting it into the food chain.

“Our department has done everything possible but the goalposts have been moved. Phillip Davies has been working round the clock to try and resolve this issue.”

Council chair Sian Thomas commented: “It’s enough to turn us all vegetarian, but you cannot even trust fish these days – in case you’re eating seahorse!”