South Korea | South Korea Halts Imports of Belgian, Dutch Pork over Dioxin Fi...

South Korea

South Korea Halts Imports of Belgian, Dutch Pork over Dioxin Find

South Korea has suspended pork imports from Belgium and the Netherlands after cancer-causing dioxin was found in Belgian animal feed products delivered to a Dutch company.

The decision came after the Dutch food authority said Thursday it had found dioxin in pork fat produced by Belgium's Profat TM and delivered to the Netherlands.

Dioxins are one of a number of toxic chemicals that originate in pesticides or industrial processes, leach into rivers and lakes and build up in the flesh of fish and animals.

"The agriculture ministry was notified of the temporary import suspension on Jan. 27, citing news reports of dioxin contamination in feed products supplied to the Netherlands," said a Dutch official, who declined to be identified.

Belgium’s food agency is currently working with South Korean authorities in a bid to resume trade while authorities continue to investigate the contamination.

Through November 2005, Belgium and Netherlands (combined) represented 10 percent of South Korean pork and pork variety meat imports. While Chile and Denmark each have about 10 percent of the market.  The U.S. represents 22 percent of South Korean pork and pork variety meat imports – up from 12 percent one year ago. The Netherlands is one of the world's top meat exporters and Europe's second-biggest animal feed producer.

South Korea

South Korea Halts Imports of Belgian, Dutch Pork over Dioxin Find

South Korea has suspended pork imports from Belgium and the Netherlands after cancer-causing dioxin was found in Belgian animal feed products delivered to a Dutch company.

The decision came after the Dutch food authority said Thursday it had found dioxin in pork fat produced by Belgium's Profat TM and delivered to the Netherlands.

Dioxins are one of a number of toxic chemicals that originate in pesticides or industrial processes, leach into rivers and lakes and build up in the flesh of fish and animals.

"The agriculture ministry was notified of the temporary import suspension on Jan. 27, citing news reports of dioxin contamination in feed products supplied to the Netherlands," said a Dutch official, who declined to be identified.

Belgium’s food agency is currently working with South Korean authorities in a bid to resume trade while authorities continue to investigate the contamination.

Through November 2005, Belgium and Netherlands (combined) represented 10 percent of South Korean pork and pork variety meat imports. While Chile and Denmark each have about 10 percent of the market.  The U.S. represents 22 percent of South Korean pork and pork variety meat imports – up from 12 percent one year ago. The Netherlands is one of the world's top meat exporters and Europe's second-biggest animal feed producer.