WARSAW (AP) - Veterinary authorities have closed a slaughterhouse in central Poland on suspicion it was selling meat from sick animals and others that were dead before arriving for slaughter.

Deputy regional veterinary inspector Tadeusz Kuligowski said on Friday that some 30 tonnes of undocumented and concealed meat have been found in the private slaughterhouse near Biala Rawska. Inspectors had previously revealed a transport of sick and dead animals going there.

The owner of the slaughterhouse was taken into custody but released on bail. The meat was ordered burned and samples were taken for tests.

The man could face up to eight years in prison if the meat proves hazardous to consumers.

European investigators are checking cases of beef contamination with horse meat that have been revealed in Poland and in other countries.