80,000 eggs pulled from shelves after fipronil detected; Council of Agriculture: caused by improper pesticide use by farmers
Regarding the detection of fipronil in domestic eggs, the Council of Agriculture issued a news release in the evening stating that this was caused by "a small number of farmers improperly using fipronil to eliminate environmental pests or external parasites on chickens." As of today, a total of 5,172 kg of egg products, about 86,200 eggs, have been removed from shelves and sealed, and sampling has now been completed at 900 egg and poultry farms across Taiwan. All sample testing is expected to be completed within two days to determine whether other egg farms show the same contamination.
Regarding follow-up handling of the problem egg farms, the Food and Drug Administration pointed out that, together with the Changhua County Health Bureau, it has inspected downstream distributors of 3 farms, Guoho, Liancheng and Wenzheng. A total of 21 person-times were dispatched and 7 businesses were inspected. As of 2 p.m., 1,368 kg of eggs had been recovered. In addition, the Changhua County Government Agriculture Bureau also sent personnel to three egg farms to carry out egg sealing operations, with a total of 3,804 kg sealed on site. Today a total of 5,172 kg, about 86,200 eggs, were removed from shelves and sealed.
The Council of Agriculture also pointed out that, in accordance with Article 36 of the Consumer Protection Act, movement controls have now been imposed on the chickens at 3 farms, but the chickens may continue to be raised on site so that the fipronil in their bodies can naturally degrade. The Council of Agriculture and local disease prevention authorities will continue to track the controls and take samples to test the fipronil content in eggs. In addition, the Council of Agriculture will hold an expert meeting on this case tomorrow to discuss related handling details.
In addition to movement controls, the Council of Agriculture also stressed that it has tasked 18 local governments with conducting comprehensive spot checks at 1,899 egg and poultry farms. Sampling at 900 farms has now been completed. Except for Changhua County, which, because it accounts for 886 farms, a huge number, is still continuing sampling, the progress of other counties and cities has reached about 90 percent. On the testing results, the Council of Agriculture stated that at this stage only 28 farms in Changhua County have completed testing, and the results were all qualified. Testing units will work overtime through the night today, and all testing work is expected to be completed within two days.
As for the cause of contamination that has attracted widespread attention, the Council of Agriculture stressed that the preliminary assessment is that it was caused by "a small number of farmers improperly using the pesticide fipronil to eliminate environmental pests or external parasites on chickens," and most chicken farmers still comply with regulations. Therefore, agricultural authorities also stressed that in the future they will strengthen education and outreach on lawful and proper animal drug use, improve farmers' knowledge of drug use, and protect consumers' right to food safety.
