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Chinese Embassy claps back at allegations of toxic bacteria in organic fertiliser imports
View(s):The Chinese embassy in Colombo has criticised Sri Lanka’s decision to declare that samples of a Chinese organic fertiliser supplier contained harmful bacteria including erwinia, saying it was too “hasty” and lacked “scientific basis.”
The Embassy was referring to the conclusion reached by Sri Lanka’s National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS). In a statement, the Embassy said it noticed several recent news reports and statements in Sri Lanka claiming that organic fertiliser to be imported from China contains harmful bacteria.
“The Embassy of China in Sri Lanka contacted the product supplier, Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd to examine the issue, and found that these reports and statements, which have already harmed the reputation of the company in question, directly contradict the facts,” it claimed.
Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd, known as Seawin, is a high-tech enterprise focusing on the production of a new-type of seaweed organic fertiliser, found in 2000. Its fertiliser has been exported to more than 50 countries. The company was selected by the Sri Lankan Agriculture Ministry through an open tender to supply urgently needed organic fertiliser, the statement said.
“The company has undertaken obligations strictly in accordance with the signed contract. In its production process, organic fertiliser must be sterilised at 600 ℃. Thus all harmful microorganisms are killed by the high temperature, which is in line with the standards required in the bidding documents, the contract, the letters of credit and the widely accepted international standards for organic fertilisers.”
The NPQS claimed that the sample received contained harmful bacteria including erwinia, after only three days of test and analysis, which led to the above-mentioned news reports. However, according to the International Plant Protection Convention, it takes at least six days to detect erwinia, the Embassy claimed.
“The hasty conclusion made by NPQS lacks scientific basis. As such, the decision made by the authorities to reject Seawin’s organic fertiliser based on the NPQS report is not only questionable but also caused great financial loss to the company,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Government is planning to import some 200,000 metric tonnes of nitrogen extract from India to be used as fertiliser, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said yesterday. He acknowledged that those growing tea, corn and certain vegetables are urgently in need of organic fertiliser, which is in short supply.
Mr Aluthgamage said the Government took the decision after two samples of organic fertiliser imported from China failed quality tests. Samples of the nano-organic nitrogen extract from India passed quality tests, he added.
“We expect around 200,000 metric tonnes of nitrogen extract to arrive by the end of this month,” Mr Aluthgamage said.
Given the urgency of the situation, the Government was even prepared to dispatch charter flights to fly the stocks into the country, he added.
The fertiliser issue was also discussed at Thursday’s special Cabinet meeting held to discuss lifting price controls on milk powder, wheat flour, gas and cement. Sources told the Sunday Times that during the meeting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had acknowledged that the Government may be forced to import chemical fertiliser needed for certain crops.