14/01/11

Berlin - German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner unveiled proposals on Friday to prevent contaminants from entering the food chain, after high levels of dioxin found in eggs and meat triggered a nationwide scare.

The high concentrations of dioxin are thought to have originated in animal feed bulked up with fats that were a by-product in the manufacture of bio-diesel fuel, made from plant material.

Aigner proposed a 10-point plan, including an EU-wide separation of sites producing fat for animal consumption and those manufacturing industrial fats.

The minister also envisaged compulsory tests for animal feed producers and tighter sanctions, including the online publication of failed test results.

'We need to raise the security standards,' Aigner said.

Mistakes admitted but too late to recall produce

She admitted that her ministry had made mistakes, but rejected calls for her resignation, stressing, 'My office took all the steps that we could.'

Meanwhile, it emerged that one in four eggs tested recently for dioxin was over the legal limit. At the same time, one in 33 pork samples was found to exceed the permitted amount.

Suspected dioxin-contaminated pork also reached Poland and the Czech Republic, a senior member of the Consumer Affairs Ministry said on Friday. He said it was too late to recall the produce.

A total of 396 German farms remained closed on Friday, pending dioxin tests. Aigner insisted, however, that the elevated dioxin levels presented no imminent health risk.

Dioxin can cause reproductive disorders, immune disorders and acne. Some studies have also linked it to cancer in cases of repeated high exposure, such as that faced by chemical workers.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government is to discuss Aigner's plan on Wednesday.

The agriculture minister had Merkel's 'full support,' according to government spokesman Steffen Seibert.