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| Horsemeat scandal: French inspectors scour Spanghero processing firm | Horsemeat scandal: French inspectors scour Spanghero processing firm |
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| Veterinary and sanitary inspectors are scouring the site of the French meat-processing firm at the centre of the European horsemeat scandal, as the government defends the suspension of its operating licence. | Veterinary and sanitary inspectors are scouring the site of the French meat-processing firm at the centre of the European horsemeat scandal, as the government defends the suspension of its operating licence. |
| Spanghero, a meat processing and wholesale firm based in Castelnaudary, southern France, was accused by the government of fraudulently stamping the label "beef" on around 750 tonnes of cheap horsemeat. The scam meat was used to make 4.5m beef ready meals in 13 countries, including Findus beef lasagne in Britain. Spanghero made more than €500,000 (£430,000) profit from the fraud over six months, the French consumer affairs minister, Benoit Hamon, said. | Spanghero, a meat processing and wholesale firm based in Castelnaudary, southern France, was accused by the government of fraudulently stamping the label "beef" on around 750 tonnes of cheap horsemeat. The scam meat was used to make 4.5m beef ready meals in 13 countries, including Findus beef lasagne in Britain. Spanghero made more than €500,000 (£430,000) profit from the fraud over six months, the French consumer affairs minister, Benoit Hamon, said. |
| The company's president, Berthelemy Aguerre, continued to deny the claims on Friday, telling Europe 1 radio: "I don't know who is behind this, but I can tell you it's not us … I think we will prove our innocence … the government has been too quick." | The company's president, Berthelemy Aguerre, continued to deny the claims on Friday, telling Europe 1 radio: "I don't know who is behind this, but I can tell you it's not us … I think we will prove our innocence … the government has been too quick." |
| The agriculture ministry said its decision to suspend Spanghero's meat-processing licence pending tests was "fair and proportionate". | The agriculture ministry said its decision to suspend Spanghero's meat-processing licence pending tests was "fair and proportionate". |
| "There are sufficient facts which show that at the very least there was a lot of negligence," Hamon said. "Millions of consumers have been duped so we had to act quickly." | "There are sufficient facts which show that at the very least there was a lot of negligence," Hamon said. "Millions of consumers have been duped so we had to act quickly." |
| Several of the 360 factory workers at Spanghero, one of the biggest employers in Castelnaudary, demonstrated outside the prefect's office on Friday, protesting that their jobs were at risk even though they had had no knowledge of any bad practice. | Several of the 360 factory workers at Spanghero, one of the biggest employers in Castelnaudary, demonstrated outside the prefect's office on Friday, protesting that their jobs were at risk even though they had had no knowledge of any bad practice. |
| Spanghero said the government had "condemned to death" 300 staff by withdrawing its operating licence for 10 days of tests. If suspicions are confirmed, company bosses face fines of €187,000. | Spanghero said the government had "condemned to death" 300 staff by withdrawing its operating licence for 10 days of tests. If suspicions are confirmed, company bosses face fines of €187,000. |
| The Spanghero firm was set up in the 1970s by brothers of the then French rugby captain, Walter Spanghero. The family was famous for its sporting figures. Based in a town between Toulouse and Carcassonne, which is well known for its rich cassoulet stew, the firm's aim was to showcase south-western French meat products using local abattoirs. | The Spanghero firm was set up in the 1970s by brothers of the then French rugby captain, Walter Spanghero. The family was famous for its sporting figures. Based in a town between Toulouse and Carcassonne, which is well known for its rich cassoulet stew, the firm's aim was to showcase south-western French meat products using local abattoirs. |
| In 2009, when the company was in trouble, Laurent Spanghero sold it for a symbolic €1 to the Basque farming co-operative Lur Berri. The new owners, whose empire includes foie gras and smoked salmon labels, set out to boost Spanghero's meat processing, wholesale and production of ready meals. | In 2009, when the company was in trouble, Laurent Spanghero sold it for a symbolic €1 to the Basque farming co-operative Lur Berri. The new owners, whose empire includes foie gras and smoked salmon labels, set out to boost Spanghero's meat processing, wholesale and production of ready meals. |
| The firm processed 9,600 tonnes of meat each year, including Toulouse sausages, merguez sausages, pre-packaged barbecue platters and a "superior" joint range called "the pleasure of meat". It also produced 10,400 tonnes of meat ready meals each year, including pork and lentil stews, duck and tinned cassoulet. | The firm processed 9,600 tonnes of meat each year, including Toulouse sausages, merguez sausages, pre-packaged barbecue platters and a "superior" joint range called "the pleasure of meat". It also produced 10,400 tonnes of meat ready meals each year, including pork and lentil stews, duck and tinned cassoulet. |
| Despite currently having no link to the company, the Spanghero family complained their name had been tarnished by the horsemeat scandal. Walter Spanghero told Le Parisien: "When we're in the street, we're seen as gangsters. So I go out less with my wife." | Despite currently having no link to the company, the Spanghero family complained their name had been tarnished by the horsemeat scandal. Walter Spanghero told Le Parisien: "When we're in the street, we're seen as gangsters. So I go out less with my wife." |
| His brother Laurent told French TV: "My first thought is for the employees. It's long-term unemployment that is coming if we are not capable in the next three days of resolving this. My second thought goes to our kids and grandchildren that carry our name. We have always taught them the values of courage and loyalty and today we have been plunged into dishonour." | His brother Laurent told French TV: "My first thought is for the employees. It's long-term unemployment that is coming if we are not capable in the next three days of resolving this. My second thought goes to our kids and grandchildren that carry our name. We have always taught them the values of courage and loyalty and today we have been plunged into dishonour." |
| The scandal comes as blow to France's agri-food industry, which is the biggest industrial sector in the country. France is the fourth-biggest food and drink exporter in the world. The UK is one of its biggest markets. | The scandal comes as blow to France's agri-food industry, which is the biggest industrial sector in the country. France is the fourth-biggest food and drink exporter in the world. The UK is one of its biggest markets. |
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