As if 2020 wasn’t grim enough already, households across Ireland could be facing a turkey-less Christmas dinner this year.
A €1million funding dispute between local authorities and Ireland’s Food Safety Authority could mean up to 100,000 turkeys go uneaten this festive period.
The spat, which has been running for months, has to do with funding for the vets that certify Ireland’s abattoirs – the places where birds are 'processed' on their journey from farm to dinner table.
A funding deadlock of up to €1million could mean vets are no longer contracted to certify abattoirs – and put a centuries-old Christmas tradition at risk.
The result? An “absolute disaster for anyone who wants to get birds processed for the Christmas table,” according to Catriona Morrissey, the news editor of Ireland’s Farmers Journal.
“There is a funding dispute that is putting your turkey Christmas dinner at risk,” Morrissey told RTE's Morning Ireland.
“At the moment, the contract looks like it will run out for vets to certify the abattoirs, and those abattoirs are responsible for about 100,000 birds destined for the Christmas table.”
The saga has been described as a 'disaster' by none other than Darina Allen, the beloved Irish chef and founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Co Cork.
Allen has said it’s “not good enough” that farmers and local food producers are facing the prospect of a turkey-less Christmas – an eventuality that would decimate their business at the worst possible time.
Time is running out to reach a solution – with the contract for vets running out at the end of November.
Ms Morrissey did offer some hope when she said there’s still a chance that both sides can come to an arrangement.
But she warned that “around €1 million will be needed to fund the service” this festive period.
“And it is essential,” she said.
“We’ll all be hoping for a Christmas miracle.”
