German officials announced new legislation to increase security in the food chain and ensure an early warning system, after the discovery of the industrial fat dioxin in animal feed in January. The new feed production rules focus on food security and "Boosting surveillance is a key part of this," said Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner.
Thousands of farms across Germany had to be closed after the chemical was found in animal feed.
An early warning system would require feed producers to relay all test results to the government, instead of just those results showing excessive levels of toxic chemicals. Increased reporting for private laboratories also will be expected.
Aigner supported a list of permitted ingredients across Europe, but the measure was not supported by other EU ministers, and is not part of the new legislation, which is now pending parliament approval.
