Standards set for livestock feeds

Hanoi (VNA) - Animal feed can contain a maximum of 2.5 mg of melamine per kg under a decision issued last Friday by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

The decision was made following discussions by a team of feed consultants,
including representatives from the husbandry and aquaculture departments
under MARD and the Ministry of Health. The permitted level was set with
reference to melamine standards in other countries such as the US ,
Canada and the European Union.

In principle, Vietnam did not allow the use of any food products
contaminated with melamine, including cattle feed, said head of the
husbandry department Hoang Kim Giao.

"But the allowed level of 2.5 mg of melamine in 1 kg of animal feed is equal
to zero and MARD made the decision after consulting regulations on melamine
standards from many countries around the world," he said.
Under the decision, all feed with higher levels of melamine will be
banned from import, production, trade and use in husbandry and aquaculture.

Earlier, MARD banned the import and trade of all materials contaminated with
melamine to produce animal feed.

Business would have to test melamine themselves on samples of high-risk
materials such as fish powder, milk and milk products. Any products testing
positive for melamine must be reported to the department as soon as
possible.

Melamine is added to foods to artificially boost protein levels but is
harmful to humans and can cause kidney damage.-Enditem