Cull pyres may cause cancer risk

25 May 2001



Cull pyres may cause cancer risk

By FWi staff

FARMERS have been warned that there may be increased levels of cancer-causing dioxins in milk from animals which grazed near to foot-and-mouth pyres.

The Food Standards Agency says there is a “slightly higher, although very small” risk to people who consume whole milk and whole milk products from animals within 2km of pyres.

Continuing to consume affected milk and milk products over the short period until test results are available presents a very small additional risk to health, warns the FSA.

Consumers who are concerned are advised by the food safety watchdog to vary their diet to include milk and milk products from other sources.

The World Health Organisation says that exposure to dioxins could lead to cancers, learning difficulties, genital malformations and falling sperm counts.

The vast majority of milk and milk products sold to consumers are bulked — mixed — and are not affected, stresses the FSA.

As dioxins only accumulate in fat, skimmed or semi-skimmed milk or products made from these are not affected.

Sir John Krebs, chairman of the FSA said: ” This is highly precautionary advice for a very small number of consumers.

“It is for people who only consume whole milk and milk products that have come exclusively from animals near pyres.”

Test results from milk, egg, soil and grass samples will not begin to become available until the end of May.

It will take until the end of June to form a complete picture of the situation.

Sir John added: “It is unlikely there will be any health concerns, but we need to double-check with the results from tests on milk.

“It is right that consumers who may be affected have the information to make their own decisions, where there is uncertainty.

“We will make public the results of the tests and issue any further information that may be required.”

Environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth have called for a public inquiry into why MAFF did not follow the Environment Agencys “hierarchy” of disposal.

This gives rendering, burning in licensed incinerators and landfills as the safest methods of disposal, and burning on open pyres as one of the worst, says FOE.

FOE executive director Charles Secrett said: “Todays announcement is yet more worrying news for farmers and families in foot-and-mouth areas.

“The Government must give a full account of its handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis, to a public inquiry.

• An advice line has been set up for dairy farmers on 0800 915 1601 (7 days a week 9am – 6pm)
  

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