EU urges expedited investigation on horsemeat scandal

 　　BRUSSELS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission has called on certain member states of the European Union involved in recent horsemeat scandal to step up investigations¹ and restore consumers' confidence.

　　"I hope that the national investigations will uncover the culprits soon," said Tonio Borg, European commissioner² for health and consumer policy, during an informal ministerial meeting with agriculture ministers of the concerned member states here on Wednesday.

　　In the last few days, the scandal erupted across Europe after horsemeat was found in such food products as burgers and lasagnas while being fraudulently labeled as beef.

　　According to EU legislation, horsemeat can be used for meat products, on the condition that it has to be declared on the label, in addition to the fact that member states should be responsible for the proper enforcement of EU rules.

　　The Commission was working with national authorities to make sure the source of the issue could be identified and dealt with, the commissioner said.

　　"In particular, we are working with the French, Romanian, Dutch, Luxembourg and British authorities," he added.

　　All EU member states are scheduled to further discuss about the scandal in a special meeting of the standing³ committee on the food chain this Friday.

1 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

2 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。