Over the past years, the food industry has been beleaguered by a series of crises every now and then, such as BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), Nitrofurans, Nitrofen, MPA (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate), and acrylamide. The crises vary in terms of the causes, the causers and the hygienic evaluation.

Both sloppiness and criminal activities are grouped under the umbrella term “crisis” as well as are latest scientific findings. The public does not differentiate – in most all cases, crises are being perceived as “scandals”.

Once again it’s the Irish mixed-feed industry that becomes an endangerment for others! Apart from the consumers, the pig producers are the ones who suffer most! In the worst case, bitter loss of income has to be coped with, like had happened back in 2002 for instance, when the synthesised hormone MPA (Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) had been detected at three sow farms in the Dutch Brabant region. As a consequence, 29 farms located in 6 provinces had been closed by the authorities in charge. An MPA-contaminated feed constituent had been purchased and fed. At that time, the Irish branch of a US pharmaceutical enterprise had supplied hormone-contaminated molasses. At the worst, the stables are left vacant in such cases. This means that no income is generated while the fixed expenses continuing to accrue.

Quite obviously, the people do not know how to guarantee high Western European standards over there on the Emerald Isle! Although Ireland is kind of a “midget” among the pig producers, it’s for the whole of the European pig market now to be threatened by the Irish carelessness! So the question arises: Don’t the Irish have any kind of quality management which might make them keep themselves under surveillance?

This case clearly reveals that the QS System (German quality assurance system) does an excellent job!  Using this seal of quality, German pork is labelled – i. e., it is approved that the piglets are undergoing the whole process of being produced, raised and fattened in Germany. In addition to that, there is the “Verein Futtermitteltest (VFT) e. V.”, an association carrying out tests and control very regularly with regard to all kinds of mixed-feed sorts.

German thoroughness secures success in export! Maybe the Vikings’ offspring on the Emerald Isle better learned this lesson from the Germans!