Genetically engineered stock feed (GMO)could be the biggest culprit in the Clostridium botulinum contamination that caused the recent recall of some Fonterra dairy products, according to the Soil & Health Association.
“New Zealand dairy cattle are eating more and more GMO stockfeed, increasing the likelihood of botulism from milk products,” says Debbie Swanwick, spokesperson, Soil & Health - Organic NZ.
In May this year Soil & Health’s magazine Organic NZ published an article by Matamata vet Frank Rowson, warning that glyphosate-based herbicides (found in many GMO crops) cause increases in the virulence of pathogens, leading to more botulism and salmonella.
Most of the soy in New Zealand stock feed is now genetically engineered, but some retailers have or are intending to change suppliers and buy from India and South America to produce GMO free lines.
Consumers want healthy, safe food. Organic and sustainable farmers have been providing it, and it’s not too late for Fonterra and other farmers to respond to this.
Soil & Health has for years been warning about the increased potential for food scares from unsustainable farming practices. Over six years ago Soil & Health raised concerns about dicyandiamide (DCD) contamination, and in January this year DCD residues were found in milk.
This could also be a problem for the European Union where they have started using GMO
for animal feed
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