March 22, 2011

Belarus lifts ban on German poultry, pork, meat product imports

Belarus has lifted its temporary ban on imports of poultry, pork and meat products from Germany, the agriculture ministry's veterinary department said Monday (Mar 21).

But the imports will be allowed only on a condition that the importer has had the products tested in an EU accredited laboratory for the content of dioxin. The ban remains effective for imports of animal feed and livestock.

Belarus introduced the ban on January 10 after German officials said that dioxin-tainted feed had been fed to hens and pigs, contaminating eggs and poultry meat at the affected farms.

The scare started after oils intended for biofuel had become mixed with oil destined for the animal feed.