Hajj Hassan: Spoiled goods not limited to meat, violators will be penalized

Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan said on Sunday that it is not the first time that authorities pull the cover off a facility storing rotten meat, in reference to the warehouse owned by An-Natour brothers in Sabra and Chatila.

“However, the huge quantity of spoiled meat caused this media frenzy”, Hajj Hassan told Voice of Lebanon radio station, “No one will enjoy a political cover and we will not go easy on anyone since no one is above the law”.

Hajj Hassan noted that the spoiled goods are not limited to meat and include yogurts, cheese, coffee, agricultural products and chips.

Hajj Hassan added that the situation on the border, in Beirut harbor, the airport and Al Masnaa “is 90% under control”. “The problem occurs when the meat gets into the country, is stored and expires for many reasons including bad storage conditions and re-frosting so they would be sold to supermarkets and restaurants”, Hajj Hassan said.

Speaking on the published list containing the names of people who bought these goods, the minister said that the list is in the hands of the concerned judicial authority. He refused to reveal any names before investigating the matter and confirming these allegations. Hajj Hassan added that the list that was circulated during the past few days is inaccurate and incorrect.

Hajj Hassan stressed that strict measures will be taken by the Agriculture Ministry and might shock traders. “In coordination with the Health and Economy Ministries, my ministry will ask all meat importers to provide the authority with a list of buyers”, Hajj Hassan added.

The minister urged the judiciary to launch a quick investigation into the matter and equally penalize all violators without commuting sentences “for a reason or the other”.