LookAtVietnam – Government agencies have stated that 310 tonnes of “dirty” meat stuck in Vietnamese ports must be re-exported.

From early July 2009 to October 14, 17 consignments of frozen meat totalling 310 tonnes were imported to HCM City and were found to include harmful microorganisms.

According to Nguyen Xuan Binh, director of the Veterinary Agency Zone 4, the imports must now be exported. However, to date, no ship of contaminated meat has left the ports.

Viet Phong Company has the biggest volume of dirty meat of 60 tonnes, including the 20 tonnes of chicken legs and wings now kept at Lien Hiep store in Tan Phu district. Intimex HCM City reportedly has 43 tonnes of chicken legs kept at Nhan Hoa store in Binh Chanh district. Thai Hoa Company also reportedly has 57 tonnes of bacteria contaminated chicken legs.

Meanwhile, importers say it’s very difficult to re-export, since foreign partners refuse to receive the products.

Meanwhile, government agencies have discovered that some importers are still trying to sell the imports in the domestic market.

According to Binh, the veterinary agency instructed the importers to either re-export the meat or dispose of it. However, at least one importer has asked for permission to use the meat to feed crocodiles in farms in HCM City and Binh Duong.

To date, the requests have been turned down.

“We will consult on a higher level as to a solution to the problem and we will make a final decision soon,” Binh said, adding that it will cost some two billion dong to ruin the 310 tonnes of dirty meat.

VietNamNet/TP