Horsemeat scandal is first big challenge for Tonio Borg

British and European Union officials will tomorrow try to work out a plan to contain a scandal over horsemeat sold as beef which has shocked consumers and exposed flaws in European systems of food safety control. The scandal, affecting a growing number of European countries and retailers, began in Ireland when its food safety authority discovered horsemeat in frozen beef burgers. The revelations raised questions about the food supply chain and prompted governments to send out an EU-wide alert. Owen Paterson, Britain's Environment Secretary, told the British parliament today he would meet EU officials in Brussels tomorrow to work out an action plan. The meeting will be chaired by Tonio Borg, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs. "It is clear from my conversations with European ministers and Commissioner (Tonio) Borg that the European Commission recognises the urgency of the current incidents," Paterson said The issue first came to light on Jan. 15 when during routine tests the Food Safety Authority in Ireland discovered horsemeat in frozen beef burgers produced by firms in Ireland and Britain and sold in supermarket chains including Tesco, Britain's biggest retailer. It has...