Bangladesh: Pig DNA identified in feed ingredient

Rezaul Karim, Senior Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), revealed this at a seminar on Tuesday. Country’s import policy prohibits imports of pig meat and bones.

According to the study report, Propak, Pungas Grower and Jasso Port are among the seven feed brands. The BCSIR official said the feed are used for cattle, poultry and fisheries. He said four scientists carried out the research at BCSIR laboratories in Chittagong and Rajshahi in the last three months.

The Section 17 of the Import Policy (2012-2015) says that certificates issued by ‘appropriate authorities’ of the exporting countries stating that the goods are free from swine by-products have to be produced before they are unloaded from ships.

BSTI Director Taher Jamil said the scientific research organisation usually did not conduct any tests on animal feed. According to the Department of Livestock Services, ‘meat and bone meal’ for feed is generally imported from Paraguay, the Netherlands, Australia and India.

General Secretary of Animal Health Companies Association (AHCA) Nazrul Islam said cows and pigs are a major source of ‘meat and bone meal’. He demanded punishment for those who imported ‘meat and bone meal’ with pig by-products in for feed. He, however, said the pig bone meal was mostly used in poultry feed as it helped broiler chickens grow up faster.