The Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG) has asked for answers in relation to surplus food imported into this country for use as animal feed which was found to have plastic and muscle fibres.

The Irish Farmers Journal revealed last week that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) sampled the feed in November 2022 and found the substances.

The farmer was asked to stop feeding the product and DAFM supervised its disposal.

The IGGG has said it would like to know what steps the Department has taken in this particular case.

'Penalised'

“As farmers, we are used to the reality of being penalised if we go outside of the terms and conditions of schemes,” IGGG chair Bobby Miller stated.

“If we had these types of substances in our grain stores, it would not be accepted. As farmers, we are always being scrutinised,” he continued.

On Thursday, the DAFM told the Irish Farmers Journal: “At all times, it remains the responsibility of the feed business operator to ensure that feed placed on the market is safe.”

The Department also added that the use of surplus food as an ingredient is “extremely common”.

The Department stated that: “Out-of-tolerance results of samples do occur and all such incidences are followed up with relevant parties.”

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