Certificate must for meat import in Qatar

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

DOHA THE joint committee of food control has made proper certification mandatory for meat import.

The ceritificate should clearly mention the type of meat being imported. All imported meat and meat products must be free from contamination.

The decision comes following the discovery of traces of horsemeat in beef in some European countries.

The joint committee of food control is working to maintain the quality and safety of food in local markets, whether imported or produced domestically.

The committee, consisting of the Supreme Council of Health, the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Business and Trade, has stressed that investigations are underway in the Gulf and the region to identify countries involved in the horsemeat scandal.

According to the committee, the investigation report will determine the type of measures to be taken by the authorities in Qatar. The committee pointed out that Qatar imports most of meat products from Gulf and Arab countries as well as the USA.

Farhoud al Hajri, head of the animal wealth division in the livestock management department of the Ministry of Environment, had recently announced that Qatar was free from horsemeat.

He also said that the livestock management department is in constant touch with the World Organisation for Animal Health, to stay abreast of any new information on any disease of epidemic proportions in other countries and take steps to protect the country.