GANG FACES COURT OVER DONKEY MEAT SCAM

[AussieMark]

Gang Faces Court Over Donkey Meat Scam

ALGIERS (Reuters) - A gang of butchers and vets in Algeria has been charged with selling tons of donkey meat as beef during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan when food prices rise sharply, state radio says.
Authorities believe more than 120,000 pounds 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 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.