Page 6 - Short Case 1 Belgian & Dutch Toxic Eggs

Katrien Stragier, a spokeswoman for Belgium's food
safety agency (AFSCA), told Flemish television VRT.

"We knew since early June there was potentially a

problem with fipronil in the poultry sector,"

"We immediately launched an investigation and we also

informed the prosecutor because it was a matter of

possible fraud," she added.

"From that point on the secrecy of the inquiry took

precedent. We understand that people have questions

about public health and we are trying to answer them,"

she added. (3)

Belgian authorities only reported the first cases of fipronil

on July 20, according to the European Commission. On

July 22, the substance was also detected in farms in the

Netherlands. And just days later, it was announced that

tainted eggs had also likely made it into Germany.

Immediately, after the VRT broadcast German Agriculture
Minister, Christian Schmidt, expressed concern about this

news that Belgian authorities first learned of eggs
contaminated with the insecticide, fipronil in June.

"Agriculture Minister Schmidt would have expected

notification from officials in Belgium in a timely and

comprehensive manner," (2)

Schmidt told the daily Bild.

"Someone has clearly proceeded with criminal intent

to contaminate (the eggs) with a banned product,"