Xenophobic portrayal deserves an apology

The Romanian people deserve an unequivocal apology over the horse meat scandal. Not just from certain sections of the media here, but one imagines right across Europe too. The blame game, as to how horse meat got into frozen foods, and English school meals has witnessed levels of xenophobia and racism not seen for a long time.

The Romanian Prime Minister, Victor Ponta, understandably stated that he was very angry with the portrayal of his people and the meat industry:

Romania has responded in a correct manner. But am I angry? Yes I am very angry. I can guarantee consumers in Britain and in France that Romania did everything responsibly".

And evidence now in the public domain seems to prove Ponta right.

An invoice released by the CarmOlimp slaughterhouse in Brasov shows that the consignment of horsemeat, which eventually found its way to the ready meal factory in Luxembourg, was clearly and correctly labeled. It bears the words "Carne Cal Integral", which means "whole horsemeat" in Romanian.

That would confirm the results of a preliminary investigation by the government in Bucharest, which said the accusations of wrongdoing in the eastern European country were incorrect.

But even before any cursory investigation media outlets sort to demonize a people and its culture. Despite the two main abattoirs opening their doors to the world's press, which pictured an immaculately clean and modern abattoir, the language that distorted the pictures left nothing to the imagination:

"Inside horsemeat central: Desolate abattoir in Romania revealed as main source of contaminated products as fears mount that cheap supermarket beef may also contain DONKEY."

Illustrations of 19th Century Romanians in traditional dress or photos of poor Romanians photographed with their horse and carts, charactized the belittling of its people. British supermarkets caught up in the 'horse meat' scandal took out full page adverts in newspapers apologizing to its customers for the wrong doing. One presumes they felt morally obliged as well as economically driven to say sorry.

But who will apologise to the Romanians. Given the evidence now points to fraudulent behavior by individuals in other countries, don't the Romanians deserve an apology?

They like us are proud people who deserve better than how they have been portrayed over the 'horse meat' scandal. Certain sections of our media have debased themselves in rushing to judgment in such a xenophobic manner.

Clearly the Romanian people deserve an apology, but sadly don't hold your breath.

Simon Woolley