The food business operator, O Cathain Iasc Teoranta, Dingle, Co. Kerry, was convicted of multiple charges for breaches of food safety law and Bluefin tuna regulations, on the 28th of April 2023, at Dingle District Court, following a prosecution taken by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the DPP. The Court imposed fines totalling €5, 250 and remarked that it was a “very serious” case.
The Defendant company pleaded guilty to charges of breaches of food safety legislation including the placing of unsafe bluefin tuna product on the market, failure to comply with food hygiene requirements and failures to ensure temperature control of bluefin tuna products. The Defendant company also pleaded guilty to charges of breaches of food traceability legal requirements and particular bluefin tuna traceability requirements, being obligations under international frameworks and EU law for the regulation and conservation of bluefin tuna stocks. The case arose following an unannounced inspection of the premises of O Cathain Iasc Teo, Dingle, Co. Kerry, in March 2021, which also resulted in the prevention of the bluefin tuna product being placed for retail.
Commenting on the case, an SFPA spokesperson stated:
"The SFPA notes the convictions for these serious breaches of food safety law and fisheries law. Compliance with food safety law, and consistent implementation of food safety management systems, is crucial for the protection of consumer health and confidence in the seafood sector. This case was particularly serious due to the discovery of bluefin tuna without the required traceability information. The conservation and management of stocks of bluefin tuna is highly regulated under international frameworks and EU law. Compliance with the traceability requirements for bluefin tuna is key to ensuring accurate information on stocks and to deter illegal fishing of the species, in order to ensure the sustainable fishing for this species and its conservation. The conviction and fine imposed by the Court emphasises the seriousness of failing to comply with the requirements for catches of bluefin tuna. The SFPA commends the SFPA officers for their diligence and hard work on this case.”
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