Food safety and the case of Polish meat

31.1.2019

Question for written answer E-000580-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Monika Beňová (S&D)

Recent media have featured a video in which cows suffering from disease are being used in processing facilities to produce contaminated meat. It has come to the attention of the public that such meat may have penetrated the single European market and reached consumers in up to eight Member States. It is possible that this is not an isolated case. It is further stated that there is a general understanding that the diseased cows are being sold to the processing facilities at significantly reduced prices. This means that the processing facilities can obtain much higher profits from diseased cows, thereby creating an incentive to circumvent the relevant rules. The Polish authorities have launched an inspection into the processing facilities concerned.

Is the Commission aware of this case?

What steps can the Commission take against the Polish industry concerned?

What instruments can the EU use to determine the impact of this infringement of public health?