What a load of gobbledygook
THE BUTCHERS Association yesterday denied reports that Turkeys from the north are being sold here at discounted prices in the run-up to Christmas.
Local press reports had suggested that the meat, which in some cases was not fresh, was retailing for as little as one pound per kilo.
But the Association’s President, Costas Livadiotis, said the reports were probably an effort to drive down the price of turkey, which is expensive and can reach up to £2.30 wholesale.
“Tell me, where exactly are these Turkeys being sold?” he said. “Nobody seems to know.”
Livadiotis said Turkish Cypriots were actually crossing south and stocking up on the fowl, which are more expensive in the north – and not vice versa.
Agriculture Minister Photis Photiou has said that Turkeys from either the north or from Turkey itself end up in the marketplace, with truckloads of animals secretly smuggled from the north and slaughtered at illegal abattoirs here.
“The meat is not being properly checked, however it doesn’t make it to the supermarket as the correct documentation cannot be provided,” he said.
“Nevertheless, this is still a cause for concern as some people go directly to livestock farms to buy whole lambs for weddings and parties.
Livadiotis also hit out at the Agriculture Ministry after they announced at the end of November that all meat in the Cyprus market will now be labelled with its country of origin, in light of new harmonised regulations.
Pointing out consumers’ right to know where their products originate from, Photiou called on butchers to pay strict attention to the new regulation, warning that those who fail to do so will face strict sanctions.
He added that regular checks would be carried out by the Veterinary Services to ensure implementation.
Livadiotis described the announcement as “nothing new,” adding that country of origin labelling was already taking place. “I really don’t understand why they made such a big deal out of this.”
He said the real problem for butchers lies in new EU regulations regarding waste products, which are coming into law from January 1.
“Up to now, waste such as bones and skin was disposed of by municipalities, who were paid £100 per year. Now though, the waste will have to be taken away by private companies who are demanding £850 annually.
“The Minister has remained quiet on this important issue while going on about labelling and turkeys that don’t even exist.”
He also hit out over what he says was a lack of training and financial help for butchers.
“Across the EU, butchers are helped out by their governments, so why is the same thing not happening in Cyprus?” he wondered. “Butchers spend a lot of time and money following HACCP regulations and upgrading their facilities and get nothing back from the Cyprus government in return”
In a continuing tirade against the authorities, Livadiotis told us how the Agriculture Ministry recently found certain antibiotics in pork and threatened to close down some butcheries.
“Antibiotics are not the responsibility of the shops but of the Ministry, who should properly check farms and slaughterhouses,” he said.
Photiou explained that the antibiotics were discovered by the Veterinary Services in 50 samples.
“I want to reassure everybody that the meat is checked before it reaches the market.”
He added that his threat to close down butcheries was due to the fact that they have failed to correctly label products and are not maintaining adequate hygiene standards.
“Almost 350 checks have recently taken place with certain offenders discovered. They have been let off with a warning but we will be checking them again and will come down hard if problems have not been resolved.”
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