February 5, 2007

Authorities seize 30 tonnes of diseased pork in Taiwan
 

Law enforcement agents in Yunlin County in Taiwan seized 30 tonnes of tainted pork believed to be from dead and diseased hogs during a late night raid on five illegal slaughterhouses last week. 

The agents arrested a suspect at one of the locations in Yuanchang township and were still trying to catch the ringleader and his accomplices who fled before the agents arrived.

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Yunlin County ordered the raid after receiving a tip-off.

In addition to the 1,000 kg of hog carcasses in a shack, agents also found 6 tonnes of frozen pork in a walk-in freezer.

At other locations, more than 23 tonnes of frozen pork -- believed to have been from dead and sick hogs were seized.

A spokesman said the pork was apparently meant for the Chinese New Year holiday, when pork meat would be in great demand.

The sellers are believed to have obtained dead and sick pigs at cheap prices from hog farms, which should have destroyed the dead animals.