EC slaps Belgian wrists over dioxin scare
21 June 1999
EC slaps Belgian wrists over dioxin scare
By FWi staff
THE European Commission has launched “infraction procedures” against the Belgian national government for its mishandling of the recent dioxin scandal.
In a statement released today (Monday), the commission criticised Belgium for not immediately informing the European Union in Brussels of the contamination.
The commission also said that Belgium had not done enough to stop the marketing of potentially infected meat and dairy products to other countries.
The procedures could theoretically culminate in a European court hearing.
But a commission spokesman admitted that in reality its powers were limited and at worst the Belgians could expect a telling-off by the European Court of Justice.
No financial penalty could be applied, the spokesman said.
- Belgium faces action over dioxins, FWi, today (21 June, 1999)
- EU confirms action over dioxin scare, FWi, 16 June, 1999
- Food crisis costs Belgian PM his job, FWi, 15 June, 1999
\ - Producers told to check for dioxins, FWi, 11 June, 1999
- Angry Belgian farmers blockade roads, FWi, 11 June, 1999
- Belgium criticised over food scare, FWi, 10 June, 1999