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Burgers off menu at schools in two NI education boards Burgers off menu at schools in two NI education boards
(about 1 hour later)
Frozen burgers have been withdrawn from school dinners by two education boards in Northern Ireland in response to the horsemeat scandal.Frozen burgers have been withdrawn from school dinners by two education boards in Northern Ireland in response to the horsemeat scandal.
The South Eastern Board began taking frozen burgers off the menus on Wednesday.The South Eastern Board began taking frozen burgers off the menus on Wednesday.
The Southern Board removed both fresh and frozen burgers from menus in January, pending further clarification.The Southern Board removed both fresh and frozen burgers from menus in January, pending further clarification.
However, the Western Board has said after speaking to its suppliers it has no plans to withdraw burgers.However, the Western Board has said after speaking to its suppliers it has no plans to withdraw burgers.
"The situation is being closely monitored and if circumstances change further action may be taken," it said."The situation is being closely monitored and if circumstances change further action may be taken," it said.
"It should be noted that with the introduction of nutritional standards the vast majority of meals offered to pupils are freshly cooked using fresh local produce.""It should be noted that with the introduction of nutritional standards the vast majority of meals offered to pupils are freshly cooked using fresh local produce."
Northern Ireland's other two education boards have yet to comment.
Last month, Irish authorities discovered horsemeat in some burgers stocked by some UK supermarket chains.Last month, Irish authorities discovered horsemeat in some burgers stocked by some UK supermarket chains.
At least one school in the North-Eastern Board area has sent letters to parents about the issue.At least one school in the North-Eastern Board area has sent letters to parents about the issue.
It said the board had advised all schools to "withdraw beef burgers from school canteen menus until further notice".It said the board had advised all schools to "withdraw beef burgers from school canteen menus until further notice".
'Precautionary''Precautionary'
The BBC understands this decision has been taken as a precautionary measure in the North-Eastern Board and there is no suggestion, at this stage, that any of the frozen burgers contain horse DNA.The BBC understands this decision has been taken as a precautionary measure in the North-Eastern Board and there is no suggestion, at this stage, that any of the frozen burgers contain horse DNA.
When contacted, the North-Eastern Board would not confirm it had issued the advice, but said it would release a statement later.When contacted, the North-Eastern Board would not confirm it had issued the advice, but said it would release a statement later.
The Belfast Board said school caterers place a "very high priority" on ensuring that any products supplied to children and young people meet quality standards.
"In light of recent events, the school catering service immediately sought assurances from suppliers that products used by the service were not affected," it said.
"Given these assurances, burgers have not been removed from the menu of schools in the Belfast Education and Library Board area. This situation will remain under review".
In a statement, the South Eastern Board said: "The boards administering the contracts for the supply of frozen beef burgers have received from its suppliers assurances that none of the burgers which they supply are affected with equine DNA."In a statement, the South Eastern Board said: "The boards administering the contracts for the supply of frozen beef burgers have received from its suppliers assurances that none of the burgers which they supply are affected with equine DNA."
It added that the burgers were not initially withdrawn but the board had "reviewed its position in light of more recent media coverage" and began taking frozen burgers from school meals' menus from Wednesday.It added that the burgers were not initially withdrawn but the board had "reviewed its position in light of more recent media coverage" and began taking frozen burgers from school meals' menus from Wednesday.
The Belfast Education and Library Board has not yet issued a statement.
Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan said taking burgers off school menus was a premature move.Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan said taking burgers off school menus was a premature move.
"This isn't a health problem, this is just a labelling problem," he said."This isn't a health problem, this is just a labelling problem," he said.
"If this is local produce, the meat is probably, absolutely fine."If this is local produce, the meat is probably, absolutely fine.
"I think we should be waiting until we know more before decisions like that are made, because it's going to damage the local farmers and they are already having a hard enough time.""I think we should be waiting until we know more before decisions like that are made, because it's going to damage the local farmers and they are already having a hard enough time."
On Wednesday, DUP MEP Diane Dodds described the horsemeat scandal as one of "mammoth proportions".On Wednesday, DUP MEP Diane Dodds described the horsemeat scandal as one of "mammoth proportions".
She attended a meeting of EU officials from countries affected in Brussels, which had been called by the Republic of Ireland which currently holds the EU presidency.She attended a meeting of EU officials from countries affected in Brussels, which had been called by the Republic of Ireland which currently holds the EU presidency.
Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said 2012 had been an "exceptionally difficult year" for farmers and the horsemeat controversy was "therefore a very unwelcome development".Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill said 2012 had been an "exceptionally difficult year" for farmers and the horsemeat controversy was "therefore a very unwelcome development".