Meat exporters claim Polish variety not adulterated with horsemeat

The European meat producers, especially the Polish meat exporters, are intensifying their marketing promotion in the UAE after coming out of some controversies about the presence of horse and pig meat in the beef products sold and efforts are on to increase the amount of meat sales in the UAE and other Asian markets.

 About three years ago, there was a controversy about the presence of hourse meat in the European meat sold through supermarkets and a thorough investigation was conducted which found that Poland was not the source of such adulterated meat. The Polish Chamber of Commerce has been running the meat promotion campaign in the UAE to increase awareness about the quality of Polish meat products. The European Meat  campaign has been funded by the European Union and the Republic of Poland.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, Andrezej Tysiak, First Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Poland said the UAE and Poland are trying to intensify economic and trade relationship and as part of the campaign, 'European Meat - Tradition Quality Taste' booth, is being presented at the At the ongoing AgraME trade fair in Dubai (March 16 -18 2014). The officials announced that the controversy of horse meat and pig meat adulteration in beef products was thoroughly investigated and the source of such adulterated meat was two other countries and not Poland.

“The UAE is an excellent destination for Polish meat products. We have 25 years of friendly relationship with the UAE and now Poland has started poultry production too.”, Andrezej said, adding that Poland has been lobbying for the issuance of visa on arrival for Emaratis to enter the European Union.

European Meat –Tradition, quality and taste encompasses the promotion of European meat and its products including fresh chilled or frozen beef, as well as processed meats. The programme involves promotional promotional activities on markets of third countries and the target markets of the campaign focus in 2015 are China, including Sanghai and Hong Kong and the UAE. These two countries are selected for the campaign, as they are steady growth markets.

 “The producers of meat and meat products will be presenting the process of natural rearing of cattle and poultry stocks, the measures of animal protection resulting from the animal welfare law, as well as the production of high quality meat products,” said Pitor Ziemann, Vice President, Association of Polish Butchers and Porkbutchers. . “Cooking art shows performed by best chefs, with the possibility to taste the dishes prepared with beef and poultry meat allows visitors to experience their outstanding flavor. “ Poland is a leading producer of meat products in Europe, and 80 per cent of the production is exported, mainly to other European countries. Italy, Germany and other European countries account for a major chunk of Polish meat exports and the remaining products are going to USA and America.

Poland is trying to remove the visa requirement for Emaratis to enter the European Union and efforts are on to intensify economic cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Emirates have started direct flights and plans are on to start a second flight. “About 100 Polish companies took part in Invest in Emirates programme held recently by the UAE Embassy in Poland and 74 Polish companies were present in Abu Dhabi for a similar event. There is enormous market for Polish products, especially meat products in the UAE and GCC countries –meat account for 80 per cent ($87 million per annum) of the $1.3 billion bilateral trade.)

Mieczyslaw Walkowiak, Vice Chairman of Sokolow said the largest meat company in Poland produces about 1 million kilograms of meat per day and it had earlier considered the UAE as a potential location for its eight plant. “It was a good idea to start a plant here. Now we were planning a new plant in Ukraine, but it will not materialise due to current situation in Ukraine.” He said the company accounts for about 15 per cent of Polish meat production and 80 per ent products are exported.