TOXIC SECRET: Cancer-causing chemicals contaminating Australia’s meat industry
There is a serious threat to the Australian Beef Industry if it becomes public that animals with high levels of PFOS and PFOA are being allowed to enter domestic and export beef markets.
9NEWS: ‘It’s the toxic secret that could be contaminating the meat you buy from butchers, supermarkets and fast-food restaurants. A year-long 9News investigation suggests authorities have been giving farmers the wrong advice about managing beef cattle contaminated with cancer causing chemicals found in soil around the Richmond Air Base in NSW… 9News has been testing farmer Alastair McLaren cattle for a year. It started when his cows were grazing on land 100 metres from the air base in north-west Sydney. It’s contaminated with toxic chemicals – knowns as PFAS, PFOS and PFOA – previously used in fire fighting foam.
The results were alarming – with high levels detected across the herd. The Department of Primary Industries advice is if cattle stay on the land and are given clean town water instead of contaminated ground water, PFAS levels would half within 165 days. Half of the McLarens’ herd remained on the Richmond farm and were switched to expensive town water. Retesting showed their levels didn’t decline at all – but rose…
The McLarens didn’t want to sell their cattle, but with mounting bills, were forced to. And they know cattle from contaminated land near bases around the country is entering the food chain. “Butchers don’t buy a rump steak. They buy a whole body of beef,” Mr McLaren said. “It goes into their whole shop. They are unsuspecting victims in all of this as everybody else is.Consumers need to be more aware so they need to ask questions of where their beef comes from”.
9News has obtained a letter sent by the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister. It warns: “Producers in these contaminated areas are told they can sell their animals for human consumption. “Producers have been told not to consume this meat. “There is a serious potential threat to the Australian Beef Industry if it becomes public that animals with high levels of PFOS and PFOA are being allowed to enter domestic and export beef markets”… No federal minister or department would comment’. SOURCE…
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