Experts have raised serious concerns about a recent government decision for allowing the imported poultry feeds to pass the customs check points without undergoing compulsory tests for antibiotics and melamine.
They also observed that the existing Import Policy Order 2012-15 is also allowing the imported poultry and fish feeds to enter the country without any test for biological characteristics or radioactive contamination.
Talking to UNB, Prof M Golam Shahi Alam, dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), said: “Antibioticsresistance is now a major health problem in the country as human beings are directly affected by high antibiotics used in poultry feeds.”
The withdrawal of the provision for having tests for antibiotics will pose a serious threat to human health, and the government should prioritise the safety of human health over the promotion of business, he added.
Prof Golam Shahi also pointed out that there is now no obligation to test the imports for chloramphenicol and nitrofuran, which pose a threat of bio-pollution.
Nitrofuran can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea while less common reactions include fever, chill and other forms of hypersensitivity. It can also cause pulmonary fibrosis and drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis.
He suggested that the government should follow the rules and regulations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on imports such as vitamin, antibiotics, pro-biotics, hormone and growth promoters.
BAU’s Microbiology and Hygiene Department Prof M Bahanur Rahman noted that instead of withdrawing restrictions, the government as well as the private sector should focus on improving the laboratories and testing facilities in the country to protect human health as well as for ensuring a sustainable growth in the poultry sector.
The Import Policy Order 2012-15 also has very loose attention to the aspects of bio-safety and radioactivity.
Prof Bahanur said the government leaves the issue of bio-safety to the exporter-country as there is now no criterion for tests under the current import policy.
The import policy also does not require any test of the imported poultry feeds for radioactive contamination. The stuffs are passing the checkpoints on certification of foreign authorities.
The cabinet committee on economic affairs at a meeting last month took the decision to make the changes in the Import Policy Order 2012-15, as per the recommendation of the Commerce Ministry, said officials.
Last updated on June 28, 2013 at 23:05 Tribune Online Report