/ 9 June 1999

BENIN WANT BELGIAN POULTRY BAN

BREEDERS in Benin called on Tuesday for a import ban on European poultry products, in the wake of fears that Belgian chicken might be tainted with dioxin. In a statement sent to food importers, the national breeders’ association demanded that all imported food bear certificates identifying the country of origin. Since last Friday, shipments of frozen chicken products from Europe have been stored in a cold room at Cotonou’s port, food safety officials said. Consumer groups have called on Beninese to refrain from eating chicken, pork and dairy products from Europe.