This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21455335

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Burgers off menu at schools in two NI education boards Two Northern Ireland education boards withdraw burgers
(35 minutes later)
Frozen burgers have been withdrawn from school dinners by two education boards in Northern Ireland in response to the horsemeat scandal. Another Northern Ireland education board as withdrawn beefburgers from school menus over the horsemeat issue.
The South Eastern Board began taking frozen burgers off the menus on Wednesday. The North Eastern board joins the South Eastern board in withdrawing burgers.
The Southern Board removed both fresh and frozen burgers from menus in January, pending further clarification. Earlier, the Southern board said it had reinstated burgers after "confirmation from suppliers that all meat supplied is from a bovine source".
However, the Western Board has said after speaking to its suppliers it has no plans to withdraw burgers. Northern Ireland's other two education boards - the Western and Belfast boards - have said they will be keeping burgers on the menu.
"The situation is being closely monitored and if circumstances change further action may be taken," it said. The Western board said after speaking to its suppliers it had no plans to withdraw them.
"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."
Last month, Irish authorities discovered horsemeat in some burgers stocked by some UK supermarket chains. 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.
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".
'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.
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."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"."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." The Southern Board had removed both fresh and frozen burgers from school meals in January.
However on Thursday, a spokesperson said: "Burgers have been reinstated on school menus by SELB Catering Service following receipt of confirmation from suppliers that all meat supplied is from a bovine source."
In its statement, the North Eastern board said: "We would like to reassure parents that the meat used in our school kitchens is supplied locally and all menu items such as spaghetti bolognese, or meat balls, are prepared by the school catering staff using fresh, steak minced".
"However, as a result of current issues with regard to meat processing, the catering service felt it appropriate not to offer steak burgers as a menu choice with effect from 6th February 2013, until further clarification is obtained from our suppliers".
"We trust that this precautionary measure provides parents and pupils with reassurance and confidence in the menu items that are on offer in our school kitchens".
The South Eastern board began taking frozen burgers off the menus on Wednesday.
It said: "The boards administering the contracts for the supply of frozen beefburgers 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.
Last month, Irish authorities discovered horsemeat in some burgers stocked by some UK supermarket chains.
'Premature move'
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".