Cost of testing meat 'could hike prices'
A meat processing plant in Co. Tipperary remains closed today following the discovery that it was exporting horsemeat labelled as beef.
B&F Meats in Carrick-On-Suir is being investigated by gardaí and the Department of Agriculture.
Officials discovered the labels on meat which was being sent to a supplier in the Czech Republic.
This is the latest thread in the horsemeat scandal which has spread across numerous countries.
New procedures and protocols for DNA testing have been recommended on the back of the controversy.
Adam Leyland, editor of the Grocer magazine in Britain, has said consumers could see a hike in the price of food as a result of the cost of testing meat.
Mr Leyland said: "Some of these ready meals haven't changed in price for four years, in spite of lots of inflation out there and so many other costs.
"People have obviously cut corners in this in an effort to drive down prices or to keep prices down.
"It is self-evident that prices will go up if you are sourcing more expensive meat."
