University set to hand over names in red-meat study

The dispute pits the public's right to access information held by a public institution - provided for in the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) - against the right of scientists to uphold the integrity and independence of their work.

The random meat study found traces of soya as well as donkey, water buffalo and goat meat in processed products incorrectly labelled, for example, as beef.

The findings, which came in the wake of the horse-meat scandal in Europe, prompted Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies to request an investigation by the National Consumer Commission.

PAIA bad for research

Researcher Harris Steinman said the initial response of both the researchers and the university had been to refuse the PAIA application. They feared doing so would set a precedent and oblige them to reveal the data of future research, for example into polony or probiotics.

"We feel the PAIA is bad for research," Dr Steinman said.

However, independent legal advice obtained from two advocates by both the university and Dr Steinman concluded that the university as a public institution was obliged to provide the data.

Dr Steinman said the legal advice was that the public had an "unqualified right" to all information in the possession of, or under the control of, a public body such as a university, or to information in the hands of an independent contractor working for it. The advocates agreed that the university therefore "has very little choice" in the matter.

Not intended to "name and shame"

Stellenbosch University senior research and innovation director Therina Theron said the purpose of the study was not to "name and shame" meat processors and retailers, as the authorities were responsible for monitoring compliance.

"For these reasons, the sources of the test subjects were not put into the public domain by the researchers. However, unfortunately the recent requests for this information received under the PAIA leave Stellenbosch University with no alternative but to make the detailed information available."

The deadline for the application was yesterday, but professor of meat science Louw Hoffman asked for an extension.

Dr Steinman undertook the study in collaboration with Prof Hoffman and postdoctoral researcher Donna Cawthorn. The meat was selected at random by Cawthorn off the shelves of retailers and butcheries in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban without their knowledge.

Confidentiality

Red Meat Industry Forum chairman David Ford said the forum had submitted its PAIA application so that the names of the retailers could be handed to the authorities for investigation. He insisted the intention was not to publish the names in order to conduct a witch-hunt.

Ford said the researchers had made statements to the effect that "the industry had to get its house in order". To do so, it needed the names of transgressors so these could be handed over confidentially to the Department of Health, which is responsible for checking product content and labelling.

"You can't make statements that put the industry into disrepute and then say the information is confidential," he said.

Source: Business Day