adminthat South African importers could have unknowingly imported animal products contaminated with horse meat as imports usually involve a single country and are properly certified by the veterinary authorities of the country of origin,” the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.
The department was responding to public concerns over whether the European horse meat scandal would affect South Africa’s meat imports. South Africa, as a global player in the international trade, is involved in the export and import of various foods of animal origin to and from various countries, including European countries, the department said in a statement.
“The current problem in Europe appears to be related to involvement of multiple intermediaries across multiple countries in the supply of raw meat products, making it difficult to trace the ingredients used in the meat products,” it said.
In South Africa, the importation of animal products is very stringent — the veterinary authorities currently allow importation of recognisable cuts of beef and certain beef from Germany, Ireland, Britain, Spain, Switzerland and veal meat from the Netherlands, according to the department. – Xinhua.
Online Reporter