THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
21/03/2007
Guyana on Wednesday refused to allow a ship to unload poultry feed from France that could be contaminated.
French authorities said the shipment of 900 tons of soya-based feed intended for the South American country might be contaminated with salmonella, according to Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.
"We are not giving them permission to offload that ship. I am obligated to protect the national food chain and people from contaminated food," Persaud said.
Salmonella, a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract, can cause diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting. Serious cases can result in death.
French authorities have indicated they will recall the Bahamas-registered ship, Persaud said. Calls to the French agriculture ministry in Paris went unanswered Wednesday.
Persaud added authorities will not allow the vessel to transport a shipment of sugar to Europe as planned, fearing it could contaminate Guyana's premier export commodity.
