Salmonella-tainted feed confiscated

AROUND 15,000 tonnes of soybean animal feed originating in Argentina has been confiscated by the Agriculture Ministry after salmonella was detected on Wednesday.

Fears have emerged that some farmers may have given it to their animals as the feed was already distributed to farms and mills.

“Yesterday [Wednesday] as soon as the results of the first tests came back and we saw that there was a problem the Agriculture Department contacted all of those involved; farmers, mills etc that had taken from this load and we’re also sending written letters today [yesterday] telling them not to use it,” said ministry official Egli Pantelaki.

According to Pantelaki, repeat tests will be carried out on the two loads by an independent expert that up until yesterday afternoon had not yet been completed. 

Salmonella is a bacteria causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and headaches.

“Of course what happens if a farmer despite the provisions of the law has given some of it to his animals is that a record is taken of how much each of them has bought and then what amount they have left,” said Pantelaki, confirming that farmers on other occasions in the past have fed their animals contaminated produce.

Yesterday was spent registering the first load, said Pantelaki. The results of the second load are expected today. The process will determine whether any of the contaminated fodder was fed to animals. “If this happens the Veterinary Services will have to confiscate all of the products that come from the farm. They would also visit supermarkets but I want to believe that this will not have to happen,” said Pantelaki.

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