Poland says no sick cows slaughtered; EU begins inspection

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish government officials denied that sick cows were slaughtered for meat in Poland as European Union investigators began a weeklong inspection Monday based on a media report that beef from unfit animals was exported to more than a dozen countries.

Poland's top veterinarian, Pawel Niemczuk, said two EU investigators looked through documents and held talks with meat safety officials. They plan to meet local veterinary inspectors and visit slaughterhouses later in the week, he said.

The visit followed an investigative report by private broadcaster TVN, which included video footage recorded undercover that showed lame or diseased cows being killed at night near the northeastern town of Ostrow Mazowiecka.