Germany closes 4,700 farms in dioxin scare

Germany shut down more than 4,700 farms and related businesses late Thursday after tests showed animal feed had been contaminated by a cancer-causing chemical.

"4,709 farms and businesses are currently closed," including 4,468 in the state of Lower Saxony, northwest Germany, the agriculture ministry said in a statement late Thursday.

The farms will be closed until they are found to be clear of contamination by dioxin, a toxic chemical compound that can cause cancer, and will not be allowed to make any deliveries, the ministry added.

State officials banned deliveries to any businesses involved in the production of the fodder at the centre of the scare, said the agriculture ministry in Berlin.

Germany closes 4,700 farms in dioxin scare - The Times of India