Tombale said the inspectors wanted to know how Botswana beef products reached EU markets at a time when the country had recalled a consignment because of high levels of Salinomycin. "The inspectors did report this to their superiors and we are on a yellow card, although I think we did generally well in the inspection," he said. He explained that as a way of addressing problems posed by Salinomycin, BMC has to put in place a Livestock Purchase Agreement (LPG), which will see the supplier bearing the consequences if meat products are contaminated.
The commission carried out a self-imposed exile from the EU market between September 2012 and January this year after recalling 100 tonnes of meat that contained Salinomycin. Tombale said they realised that the problems that contributed to the recall were more widespread than they initially anticipated and during the 'exile' from EU, they sold meat products and cattle that were already in feedlots to other markets in the region.
