Trial relating to 2013 horsemeat issues begins
It has been reported that four people have gone on trial in Paris in relation to Europe’s 2013 “horsemeat scandal”.
The BBC and various other media outlets have reported that two former managers of French meat-processing firm Spanghero are standing trial, along with two Dutch meat traders.
They stand accused of using horsemeat in products labelled as beef that were sold across Europe.
One Frenchman on trial claims he did not know he was being sold horsemeat rather than beef, but it is not yet known how the other defendants will plead.
According to the BBC, the four men are accused of playing a part in the sale of over 500 tonnes of horsemeat in 2012-2013 to a subsidiary of French company Comigel.
Spanghero is also accused of selling around 200 tonnes of beef merguez sausages containing horsemeat.
Abattoirs based in Romania linked to two companies in Cyprus and the Netherlands are believed to have provided the meat. It was then incorrectly labelled as beef and the men on trial are accused of pocketing the resulting profits.
The trial is expected to run until mid-February, with the four men facing up to 10 years in jail and a £900,000 fine.
Three more nations join World Butchers’ Challenge
‘Uncertain’ year ahead for pork
