THERE is strong evidence that beef consumption in northern Europe will rebound because consumers like its taste and are reassured by new rigorous food safety standards, according to the British food specialist, Mr Rob Murdy.
Speaking at a food safety forum at the Agriculture and Rural Enterprise `97 show in Co Cavan, the director of Britain's largest farm co-op, Milk Marque, said both beef consumption and sales were increasing in Britain because those at every stage of the process were co-operating to an unprecedented extent. Theses included farmers, processors, butchers, caterers and government departments.
The former managing director of Safeways supermarkets said those in the food business realised "any hint of unsafe food can have catastrophic, almost overnight impact on the sectors involved".
The sight of bankrupt farms being put up for sale and the devastation of farm communities confirmed consumers were "quite unforgiving".
Mr Murdy, who has received an OBE for improving relations between those at every stage of the food process, said the "jury is out" on genetically modified foods. He favoured labelling food as genetically modified and leaving the consumer to choose.
Mr Philip Carroll of the Department of Agriculture and Food said primary producers, essentially farmers, have to face up for the first time to the consequences of "product liability" which was being driven by strict EU food safety regulations.
The new beef traceability scheme was not inspired by a sense of crisis about the future but was a considered response to the industry's needs. It would be the most stringent system within the EU.
Although it may be an over-simplification, the future of Ireland's agri-food industry was grass and food safety, the director of Teagasc, Dr Liam Downey, said. "The BSE crisis, combined with the growing concern with micro- biological and chemical contaminants, has put food safety on the top of consumers agenda worldwide."
