Page 7 - Short Case 1 Belgian & Dutch Toxic Eggs

“Even if we assume that an acute health hazard is

practically impossible, as per the current findings,

the unlawful use of the insecticide fipronil in the

farming of food-producing animals, such as in the

case of egg-laying hens, is not acceptable and must

cease immediately. This has to happen at all levels

consequently and with the highest priority,” he said.

(2, 5)

Belgium recalled eggs from its supermarket shelves

whilst in Germany and the Netherlands, several million
eggs from Dutch farms were recalled. Furthermore,

about 180 Dutch poultry farms, about a fifth of those

in the country, were temporarily shut while

investigations were ongoing and could only reopen

when they could show that no more fipronil was found

in their products (2). One German official said up to 10

million of the contaminated eggs may have been sold in

Germany.

The issue sparked a row between Belgium, the

Netherlands and Germany, the three countries at the

centre of the crisis, about how long officials knew about

the problem.