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Horsemeat scandal: Minister to hold second food summit Horsemeat scandal: Minister to hold second food summit
(35 minutes later)
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is due to meet food industry representatives for the second time in a week to discuss the horsemeat crisis.Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is due to meet food industry representatives for the second time in a week to discuss the horsemeat crisis.
Mr Paterson reiterated that it appeared "criminal activity" had been at the heart of the scandal.Mr Paterson reiterated that it appeared "criminal activity" had been at the heart of the scandal.
MPs are discussing the issue in the Commons after Labour called a debate.MPs are discussing the issue in the Commons after Labour called a debate.
Meanwhile, the meat in some Tesco Everyday Value spaghetti bolognese, withdrawn from sale last week, has been found to contain 60% horsemeat.Meanwhile, the meat in some Tesco Everyday Value spaghetti bolognese, withdrawn from sale last week, has been found to contain 60% horsemeat.
Horsemeat has been detected in several branded and supermarket-own processed meat products over the past few weeks.Horsemeat has been detected in several branded and supermarket-own processed meat products over the past few weeks.
Tougher testingTougher testing
The summit will be the environment secretary's second meeting with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), supermarkets and distributors in a matter of days.The summit will be the environment secretary's second meeting with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), supermarkets and distributors in a matter of days.
On Saturday, Mr Paterson held an emergency meeting to try to discover how products labelled as beef and sold in supermarkets in fact contained up to 100% horsemeat. On Saturday, Mr Paterson held an emergency meeting to try to discover how products labelled as beef and sold in supermarkets contained up to 100% horsemeat.
Retailers have agreed to carry out tougher testing of beef products and Mr Paterson warned that "more bad news" could come when the results are revealed on Friday. Retailers have agreed to carry out tougher testing of beef products and Mr Paterson warned "more bad news" could come when the results are revealed on Friday.
The minister said there were plans to test all processed beef in the UK. The minister said there were plans to test all processed beef in the UK, but he told MPs on Tuesday he did not want to an "an extra layer of bureaucracy".
Mr Paterson told MPs on Monday that testing should take place every three months, and the FSA should be notified of the results. He earlier said testing should take place every three months, and the FSA should be notified of the results.
The environment secretary briefed the cabinet on the situation earlier. He has spoken to various EU counterparts and is due to meet them in Brussels on Wednesday. He briefed the cabinet on the situation earlier. He has spoken to various EU counterparts and is due to meet them in Brussels on Wednesday.
Labour are urging the government to speed up testing in order to restore consumer confidence.Labour are urging the government to speed up testing in order to restore consumer confidence.
Police await evidence
Police said they were waiting for any evidence of criminal activity from the FSA before an investigation could begin, as suspicion alone was not enough.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "People have got suspicions, I think the minister said there are two broad options, which is either negligence or criminal conspiracy.
"They are the options, but of course we can't investigate to see which of the options is true, we just need some information to help us."
He also said the location of the crime - abroad or in the UK - would determine who investigated.
Meanwhile, two Northern Ireland Assembly committees are holding a special meeting later to debate the issue of contaminated meat.Meanwhile, two Northern Ireland Assembly committees are holding a special meeting later to debate the issue of contaminated meat.
A consignment of meat at Newry firm Freeza Meats was last week found to contain about 80% horsemeat.A consignment of meat at Newry firm Freeza Meats was last week found to contain about 80% horsemeat.
The horsemeat scandal was sparked last month when Irish food inspectors announced they had found horsemeat in some burgers stocked by a number of UK supermarket chains.The horsemeat scandal was sparked last month when Irish food inspectors announced they had found horsemeat in some burgers stocked by a number of UK supermarket chains.
The crisis has spread all over Europe as details of the convoluted supply chain in the meat industry emerge.The crisis has spread all over Europe as details of the convoluted supply chain in the meat industry emerge.
'Appropriate process''Appropriate process'
Tesco became the latest firm to announce it was dropping French food supplier Comigel after DNA tests on the frozen bolognese were known.Tesco became the latest firm to announce it was dropping French food supplier Comigel after DNA tests on the frozen bolognese were known.
The supermarket giant took the spaghetti bolognese off the shelves when it found out it came from the same factory as Findus beef lasagne, also at the centre of the horsemeat controversy.The supermarket giant took the spaghetti bolognese off the shelves when it found out it came from the same factory as Findus beef lasagne, also at the centre of the horsemeat controversy.
Tesco said the level of contamination suggested Comigel had not been "not following the appropriate production process".Tesco said the level of contamination suggested Comigel had not been "not following the appropriate production process".
Tesco Group technical director Tim Smith said: "We are very sorry that we have let customers down."Tesco Group technical director Tim Smith said: "We are very sorry that we have let customers down."
The bolognese was also tested for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone as animals treated with "bute" are not allowed to enter the food chain. The results were clear.The bolognese was also tested for the veterinary drug phenylbutazone as animals treated with "bute" are not allowed to enter the food chain. The results were clear.
Wednesday's planned meeting in Brussels was called by the Irish Republic, which currently holds the EU presidency. Wednesday's meeting in Brussels was called by the Irish Republic, which holds the EU presidency.
Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the summit would discuss "whatever steps may be necessary at EU level to comprehensively address this matter".Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the summit would discuss "whatever steps may be necessary at EU level to comprehensively address this matter".
One proposal they will discuss is to make a label of origin obligatory for processed meat, just as it is for unprocessed meat.One proposal they will discuss is to make a label of origin obligatory for processed meat, just as it is for unprocessed meat.
French anti-fraud inspectors have been at the Comigel headquarters in Metz, north-east France.French anti-fraud inspectors have been at the Comigel headquarters in Metz, north-east France.
Investigators were also at the offices of importer Spanghero, in the south of France, which brought the meat to France from Romania, via several other countries and agents.Investigators were also at the offices of importer Spanghero, in the south of France, which brought the meat to France from Romania, via several other countries and agents.
After Spanghero, the meat then went to a Comigel factory in Luxembourg, which made ready meals for Findus and retailers in 16 countries.After Spanghero, the meat then went to a Comigel factory in Luxembourg, which made ready meals for Findus and retailers in 16 countries.
Romania has rejected claims that it was responsible for wrongly describing horsemeat from its abattoirs as beef.Romania has rejected claims that it was responsible for wrongly describing horsemeat from its abattoirs as beef.
Have you consumed the products which have been found to contain horse meat? Are you in the countries where the inspections are taking place? Please contact us using the form belowHave you consumed the products which have been found to contain horse meat? Are you in the countries where the inspections are taking place? Please contact us using the form below