BAN LIFTED ON CORNED BEEF

Corned beef lovers can rejoice as the temporary ban on this commodity has been lifted.

During a press briefing yesterday at the Agriculture Ministry’s Graeme Hall office, Senior Veterinary Officer, Dr. Mark Trotman, stated that it is safe for Barbadians to once again enjoy the 17 brands of corned beef imported here from Brazil.

The ban was put in place here on March 21, after reports from Brazilian authorities that several major meat processors there had been “selling rotten beef and poultry”.

However, Trotman pointed out that after full investigations into the matter, it was discovered that none of the meat processors, responsible for supplying this island with 99 per cent of its corned beef, were those implicated in the investigation.

Admitting that testing was still ongoing on the various corned beef brands imported here from the South American country, he said that such results would take some time to be completed, but said that there were no concerns about the safety of corned beef products being imported here.

“I have no concerns about the safety, from a veterinary standpoint, of the corned beef. I cannot make any categorical statements. The laboratory tests are part of our routine investigation and can take a while… but based on the information that we have been able to gather, what I can be able to tell you is that I have no concerns about it and I have no objection to the resumption of sale and consumption of corned beef,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Trotman added that the scandal could have implications on future imports of other products.

Speaking on those who criticised the ban, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Esworth Reid, said that such a step was necessary to guarantee the health of every Barbadian.

“I know there was some criticism levelled against the ministry by one person who believed that the ministry had acted a bit too hastily. One has to recognise that when you are dealing with the health of the people, you cannot wait until something happens then to act. The ministry had to act early. We at the ministry are a responsible organisation, and we are making sure that the health of Barbadians is protected,” he stressed.

Welcoming the news, Chair of the Retail and Distribution Committee of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anthony Brancker, thanked the Ministry for its work, insisting that while hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory had been tied up by the ban, the safety of Barbadians was paramount. (JMB)