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Harmful microorganisms detected in fertiliser imported from China: Analyst
Sri Lankan authorities have ordered a stock of fertiliser for distribution among farmers but, according to an independent and internationally accredited analyst, there is a possibility of the presence of microorganisms in it.
Some agricultural experts point out that the stock of fertiliser ordered for distribution among farmers has now been detected as harmful for plants and humans, according to testing by German lab Schutter Global Inspection & Survey Co Ltd that states that it contains Coliform bacteria. The testing was done on a shipment that is specifically assigned to Sri Lanka.
E Coli and Erwinia are Coliform bacteria both of which are harmful to humans and plants respectively, and Erwinia bacteria was detected by the National Plant Quarantine Services of the Department of Agriculture, in an earlier test done here. This stock of fertiliser (from China) is scheduled to arrive by the end of this month for distribution among paddy farmers for the Maha season.
Government officials and the Agriculture Minister have said that this sample from the general stock of fertiliser issued by the Chinese company may have been contaminated and as such the test may not be conclusive.
The presence of Coliform bacteria is being stated as being less than 10 and in the dilutions it is absent, which means there is a presence of Coliform (E Coli and Erwinia) in the fertiliser samples that they tested, otherwise they should have indicated as absent, agricultural experts point out.
This latest test result proves that it is not conducive for use in plants, according to the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).
The Analysis Certificate issued by Schutter Global Inspection & Survey Co Ltd on September 14, was from the production line of Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd, China (prepared for Sri Lanka) with the date of sampling stated as September 11 and date of testing issued as September 11-14 as an aseptic sample.
The letter notes that representative samples of Seaweed Organic Granular Fertiliser were taken from the production line (Dry Drum Machine, where the product is heat sterilised with temperature of about 600°C at Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd and analysed for living bacteria. It also notes that the test is conducted under the instruction of SLSI with relevant testing standards, and states that Coliform bacteria is present (<10) in the test result column.
Another certificate was also issued by Schutter stating that the place of sampling is the loading port – Qingdao Port, China, with the date of sampling as September 11, and the date of testing as September 11-14 of Sample No PC/21/1387A.
This clearly identifies that there is a presence of microorganisms in the stock of fertiliser ordered from the China-based company as detected by an independent and internationally accredited inspection company, experts note.
SLSI Deputy Director Anil Kahaduwa speaking with the Business Times noted that the result which states it is less than 10 would mean there is not much of a risk. He noted that it is up to the experts to decide whether to go ahead with the use of it or not.
Microbiologist at the University of Colombo Prof Chandrika Nanayakkara notes, however, that in the interpretation of the test result which means there is less than 10 of Coliform would mean that there is no Coliform, but this does not rule out the possibility of any other bacteria like Erwinia.
They have checked for Salmonella and Coliform – which is not present – but this does not mean that it is sterilised, she noted.
“They need to get another test certificate so that they don’t have any quarantine pests,” Prof Nanayakkara said.
Nematologist and Research Director at the Tea Research Institute (TRI) Dr Keerthi Mohotti told the Sunday Times that this test result means that the Coliform bacteria is present in less than 10, which is not acceptable and could prove detrimental and harmful to humans.
The standard for the test result should be absent if it is not present, he added. The third detection of Mortality of Ascarid eggs amounting to 100 also proves harmful to the health of humans, he said.