December 9, 2008

The European Commission urged member states on Monday (Dec 8, 2008) to check pork from Ireland after the dioxin-contamination case exploded.

About 12 EU states were reported to be affected by the tainted meat.

Member states should detain Ireland pork and pork products and control the presence of dioxins, according to EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.

Vassiliou said the contaminated meat may have been exported to Belgium, Britain, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden.

The tainted meat may also have been sent to Russia, Switzerland and the US.

The Irish government, in response, had launched a massive domestic recall and started an intensive investigation to trace the source of the contamination.

Vassilious said Ireland's response is satisfactory therefore the Commission will not take further action, though it is monitoring the situation closely.

Ireland exported 129,000 tonnes of pork, valued at EUR368 million (US$474 million), last year.