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Brussels: The
European Union has approved tighter controls on beef within its
member states to determine the extent to which horsemeat is being
fraudulently labeled as beef and sold to consumers.
The 27-member bloc also gave the green light for tests to
determine whether horsemeat found at slaughterhouses contains
residues of phenylbutazone, an anti-inflammatory drug used to
treat horses that is potentially harmful to people.
The EU member states backed the recommendation presented Wednesday
by the European Commission following an informal meeting of
representatives of the countries affected by the scandal to date:
Britain, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Luxembourg, Romania and
Sweden.
Two types of tests are to be conducted, one involving DNA controls
to determine whether horsemeat is being used in processed foods
such as lasagna or Bolognese sauce.
DNA testing will be carried out on 2,250 processed beef samples,
including 150 each in Spain, France, Britain, Italy, Germany and
Poland, EU spokespersons said. Between 10 and 100 controls will
take place in the rest of the bloc's member states.
The second test will aim to detect if horsemeat found at
slaughterhouses contains residues of phenylbutazone, whose use in
food-producing animals is prohibited.
One sample must be gathered per 50 tonnes of meat and each country
must carry out at least five tests, the commission said.
The controls will take place in March with a view to obtaining
results by April 15.
Based on the test results, Brussels will decide whether to
recommend longer-term measures.
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