Lead poisoning threat to cattle highlighted in FSS campaign

With spring not far away, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) yesterday issued a warning about farm animals suffering lead poisoning when they are turned out to grass.

According to FSS, there is an increase in poisoning incidents at this time of year when livestock have access to lead deposits from various sources including old machinery, rubbish, vehicle batteries, bonfire ash, electric fencing or lead-based paint.

Since 2015, approximately 570 animals in Scotland have been affected by lead poisoning, with 47 dying as a result. As well as not being able to sell the affect- ed animal’s produce, farmers can also face the costs involved in veterinary fees, stuntedanimalgrowthand loss of market value.

Now FSS has partnered with Scottish Agricultural College Consulting Vet Services, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Scottish Government to raise awareness of lead poisoning. As part of the campaign, leaflets will be distributed to farmers in Scotland.

Animals which have been exposed to lead can show high levels of poisoning in their meat, offal and milk. These can be above the safe limits laid down in food law, making them illegal for use in the food chain

Geoff Ogle, chief executive of FSS, also revealed the organisation was working hard on issues raised by Brexit. With 13 months to go before it is planned the UK will leave Europe, he said the split was having a big impact on the organisation.

Although it is expected that most of the EU food regulation will be transferred without scrutiny under the EU Repeal Bill, he said there was still lots of work having to be done to ensure food safety in the aftermath of the departure.

While some who had voted to leave Europe wanted a less regulated world, FSS chairman Ross Finnie said that those processing firms who operated in the export market faced “powerful drivers for a continuation of existing work.