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This trial, scheduled to last until February 13, promises lively exchanges between the main protagonists. REUTERS / Charles Platiau

Four people suspected of having participated in the resounding scam of beef sold in Europe, including two former leaders of the Spanghero company, are judged from Monday, 21 January in Paris. The defendants are notably suspected of having cheated on a company manufacturing ready meals.

The survey opened in France in 2013 revealed to the general public the opacity of the meat market. In the industry, brokers do not just run steaks but mostly ore. An agglomerate of chopped low pieces sold frozen, intended for the preparation of prepared dishes.

A material easily handled especially in a context of price war: to increase margins, nothing is easier than to replace beef with horse much cheaper.

Investigators found that 750 tonnes of trafficked ore had been disposed of in 13 countries of the European Union.

A massive deception , of which the company Spanghero had made a specialty. Moreover the order of the judges highlights these perfectly organized practices. Spanghero overshadowed the origin of the meat it marketed and erased any reference to horsemeat.

If the case had not caused any health consequences, two former executives of the French company and two Dutch traders are nevertheless Monday returned to the Criminal Court for aggravated deception.