Dutch MEP Sander Smit (ECR) has demanded answers from the European Commission over why Chinese poultry meat continued to enter the EU for three months after an audit found serious food safety violations, raising concerns for consumer health and the integrity of EU import controls.
In a written parliamentary question submitted on 9 April 2026, Smit cites Audit CT-2025-0037, completed in November 2025 and published on 12 February 2026, which found that Chinese slaughterhouses failed to meet EU standards: carcasses with visible faecal contamination were simply rinsed instead of being discarded, and traceability was so poor that the origin of meat could not be verified. Smit questions why the Commission did not immediately suspend imports under Article 128 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, and why it considers the food safety risks acceptable.
He also asks how many tons of Chinese poultry entered the EU between the audit's completion and publication, and demands details on the member states, importers, and products involved. Finally, he asks when the Commission informed member states—especially the Netherlands, a major importer—of the findings and what measures were taken.
The question signals a push for stricter enforcement of food safety rules and greater transparency. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it plans to tighten controls or defend the current system.