June 28, 2006

China clamps down on smuggled beef

Government agencies in the Chinese city of Dalian are embarking on a campaign to monitor the local beef market to fight smuggled beef from countries affected by mad cow.

The campaign was launched on request of the Chinese quarantine authorities who suspect incidences of smuggled beef are on the rise.

The group checked 14 high-end hotels, western and Japanese restaurants and one major supermarket.

According to reports, 34 kilogrammes of beef were intercepted at four locations, which allegedly sold beef from the US, Canada and other countries affected by mad cow disease.

Dalian is the third city to have beef inspections, following similar activities in Shanghai and Beijing, where over 4 tonnes of smuggled beef and beef offal were seized.