Last month, horsemeat was discovered in beef burgers, which were on sale in several major supermarket chains in the UK and Ireland.

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Japan is especially reluctant to do so, as was illustrated by a recent spat over American beef, in which fears of mad-cow disease strengthened the hands of protectionists.

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The FSA said Findus had tested the meat in 18 of its beef lasagne products and found 11 meals in which it contained between 60% and 100% horsemeat.

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