Australia urges consumers to shun British meat products

Australia today urged its consumers to shun British food.

In an open letter Bill ­Muirhead, agent general for South Australia, warned consumers to keep clear of burgers and ready meals made in the UK.

He said, ''If you are worried about the quality and ­provenance of meat-based foodstuffs which you purchase / have purchased in the UK, our current advice is that you should NOT consume them.''

He added, ''Until UK authorities are able to ensure integrity of supply, you may wish to restrict consumption… to guaranteed Australian-only sources.''

Meanhwhile, UK foods company Birds Eye, is withdrawing three beef ready meals from sale in the UK and Ireland after tests found 2 per cent horse DNA in a dish sold by Birds Eye in Belgium.

The company's spaghetti bolognese, shepherd's pie and lasagne made by the same Belgian manufacturer, Frigilunch NV, were being withdrawn "as a precautionary measure".