The fallout from Europe’s latest dioxin scandal

Minute levels of dioxin in livestock feed caused a massive reaction, including import bans by a number of countries on German pork, chicken, meat and eggs

by NORMAN DUNN

The tight network of livestock feed supplies in northern Europe was never more strikingly highlighted than during the first two weeks of 2011.

At the turn of the year, routine tests by one feed mill discovered higher than allowed levels of dioxin. Subsequent tests in other mills found dioxin levels in rations for cattle, swine, broilers and layers that were in a few cases many times the legal limit, although still representing just a few billionths of a gram.

Better Farming - March 2011