Accra (Greater Accra) 25 June?99

The Association of Meat Importers and Distributors of Ghana on Thursday assured consumers that adequate measures have been taken to protect the public from dioxin, the cancer-causing chemical found in poultry and pig products in Belgium.

It said irrespective of the fact that Belgian suppliers produced certified evidence that their products were free from contamination, they were rigidly adhering to the ban on such imports from Belgium.

Mrs. Ruth Ghanney, secretary of the association, told a press conference in Accra that members have been co-operating fully with the authorities to ensure that all meat and meat products from Belgium are retrieved from the various outlets and re-exported.

She said immediately the ban was announced, the sale of Belgian meat products was suspended and those, known to have made purchases were requested to return them for refund.

Mrs. Ghanney said stocks in cold storage and frozen food products of Belgian origin at all entry points have been made known to the authorities and are awaiting re-export.

No further orders for Belgian meat and poultry products are being made.

She said meat products from other European countries have not been allowed out of the ports without importers having to provide a supplementary veterinary health certificate that the products are free from contamination.

"We assure the public that all imported frozen foodstuffs from European countries other than Belgium coming onto the market have met the most stringent quality controls and are entirely wholesome."