French police arrest 21 in horsemeat investigation

Police raids across the south of France over the sale of horsemeat unfit for human consumption have led to the arrest of 21 people.

More than 100 officers from the National Gendarmerie fanned out in 11 regions before dawn for the co-ordinated strikes.

One offficial said meat from animals used in research by drugmaker Sanofi-Pasteur was among the material involved, although the lab’s role was unclear.

Benoit Hamon, consumption minister, told RTL radio that it was a question of food safety, rather than simple fraud.

“These were horses that should have ended up at the knacker, and instead they ended up at the butcher,” he said.