Algeria man charged for selling donkey meat
( 2003-11-24 16:36) (Agencies)
A gang of butchers and vets
in Algeria has been charged with selling tonnes of donkey meat as beef during
the Muslim holy month of Ramadan when food prices rise sharply, state radio
said.
Authorities believe more than 55 tonnes (120,000 lbs) of donkey meat was sold
at knock-down prices at markets in the capital Algiers since August, but most
during Ramadan.
More than 1,500 donkeys were brought in from around the country and
slaughtered in Algiers before vets certified the meat as beef, authorities said.
Five butchers, four vets and an abattoir boss were arrested on Saturday and
will appear in court after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, the feast marking the end of
Ramadan.
"Donkey meat is destined solely for animal consumption. It's sold to the zoo,
to places that take care of dogs or shops that sell food for dogs," an
Agriculture Ministry official said.
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