Brussels, 07/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - According to the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, Armando Sevinate Pinto, the Veterinary Committee at the European Commission may recommend a ban on Portuguese poultry exports next Monday, following the discovery of nitrofurans (antibiotics) in animal flesh from 43 (out of a total of 167 farms inspected by the local competent authorities). The British food Standards Agency has already advised importers and retailers in the United Kingdom to refrain from putting Portuguese chickens on the market unless it is proved that they are free of the incriminated substance. The use of this substance, suspected of increasing the risks of cancer in humans, has been banned in the EU since 1994. Traces of nitrofuran have been detected in poultry, turkey and in quail in Portugal. The authorities have closed down 43 farms in the country where this poultry came from and are now preparing to order the slaughter of 1.2 million if the tests confirm the presence of the antibiotic. An enquiry into the use and trafficking of this antibiotic has also been opened. In Brussels, the European Commission has declared that it is ready to cooperate with Lisbon in the detection of nitrofurans in all animal products.