BRUSSELS, Jan. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Pig farmers in the Netherlands have expressed annoyance at the decision of South Korea authorities to ban imports of Dutch pork following the discovery of dioxin in a Dutch firm which produces animal feed.

    The farmers accused South Korea of over-reacting, saying the problem lies in Belgium, not the Netherlands, Radio Netherlands reported Saturday.

    Dutch food authority the VWA said Tuesday that heightened levels of dioxin were found in pig fat at a company in southern Netherlands, which bought the fat from a Belgian company, Profat.

    Test results showed that the measured dioxin level in the fat was 25 times above the norm, the VWA said. The sample was taken on December 15.

    The pork fat is mixed with other feed for the livestock industry.

    Dutch farmers said they suspect that Seoul has decided to suspend imports first and then investigate later.

    Belgium is considering withdrawing certain meat products from shops following the dioxin contamination. Belgian farmers' representatives have expressed worries that infected products could have already reached the shelves.

    Excessive intake of dioxin can cause cancer, deformities and organ dysfunction.

    The VWA said Thursday the contaminated raw material was in small quantities and it was then further processed, therefore "there is no direct threat to public health".

    The Dutch company involved has informed its clients who bought contaminated products from it, the VWA said, adding that the agency is taking measures to seize the feed.

    Belgium's food safety authorities said they are investigating the contamination and stressed no dioxin cases had been discovered in Belgium so far. All products of Profat have been embargoed.

    The Netherlands is one of the world's top meat exporters and Europe's second biggest animal feed producer. But in recent years it suffered a string of feed debacles, including one involving dioxin in feed in 2004. Enditem