Dutch meat processor Willy Selten applied for a preliminary injunction against the Dutch government's official food and safety watchdog on Wednesday for closing down the company.

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) ordered Willy Selten to stop production on Monday. In a statement, the prosecutor's office said the company allegedly bought horse carcasses from the Netherlands and Ireland. These carcasses were shredded and mixed with beef and sold on as pure beef.

According to Frank Peters, Willy Selten's press officer and jurist, a company can only be closed if there is a risk to food safety and public health. He claimed there was no risk in this case. Therefore, he said the closing down was not necessary.

The investigation on Willy Selten is part of major measures taken by the Dutch government after the horsemeat scandal has been linked to a supply chain involving Dutch companies.

Last Friday, the plant was raided and company paperwork was seized as part of a criminal investigation by the prosecutor's office and the NVWA.

On Thursday, the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal in The Hague will rule on this case.

The NVWA will investigate some 100 Dutch companies, ranging from abattoirs to supermarkets, on fraudulent use of horsemeat. Inspectors will take 200 samples from meat and meat products labeled as 100-percent beef. They will also check product labels and administration of 40 related companies.

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