Contaminated eggs, new insecticide found banned on Dutch farms
The contaminated egg scandal continues with the discovery of a new banned insecticide on Dutch farms. This is the molecule amitraz, an acaricide allowed on cattle and pig farms to ward off flies but banned on poultry.
Acaricide in Dutch farms
According to the Dutch newspaper NU, on Wednesday, August 23, it emerged that Chick Friend-the company that sold the insecticide fipronil to chicken farmers-also used amitraz in its products. The substance is moderately toxic, is used against insects and mites, and can damage the central nervous system of animals. Amitraz would have been used on calves to ward off flies. But it has been found on farms that also raise chickens. Hence the need to check for its possible presence in eggs and meat.
Authority under indictment
In the Dutch parliament, meanwhile, the showdown is taking place. The Dutch Food Safety Authority NVWA is accused by parliamentarians of mishandling communication (on the institutional website, moreover, the last update is dated August 10, 2017). But farmers are also rebuked for succumbing to the miraculous promises of an insecticide product from ChickFriend-the company that marketed the banned molecule-without verifying the nature of the miracle.
