Health, Economy Ministries in Saber-Rattling over Wheat
The Health and Economy Ministers have been rattling sabers over alleged carcinogenic wheat, exchanging accusations at a time when the health of the people is at stake.
In remarks to As Safir daily published on Friday, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour expressed surprise at the behavior of Economy Minister Alain Hakim, saying “we can't unveil a scandal of this magnitude and remain silent.”
Abou Faour said at a press conference he held on Wednesday that four out of six imported wheat samples taken by his ministry's inspectors contained ochratoxin.
But Hakim snapped back, saying wheat samples that the economy ministry had tested were carcinogen-free.
His remarks infuriated Abou Faour, who issued a statement on Thursday reiterating that the ministry took six wheat samples on Feb. 2, four of which contained ochratoxin.
The statement said that on Feb. 24, the inspectors took 12 samples from wheat imported from the U.S. and another 12 from those imported from Russia. Of those imported from Russia, five contained ochratoxin.
“Rather than denying the issue, it (the economy ministry) should find ways, if possible, to monitor the wheat in the market and to work on stopping the entry of new wheat shipments before examining them,” it added.
A meeting was set to take place last Monday between Abou Faour, Hakim and Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb to discuss the issue.
But the meeting, which was postponed to Wednesday, was later canceled after the growing problems between the Health and Economy ministers.
Hakim reiterated in remarks to As Safir that the wheat, which is imported to Lebanon, falls under critical inspection in accordance with the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
The newspaper said that the result of samples taken form the grain silos at Beirut Port by the inspectors of the Economy Ministry's Consumer Protection Directorate on March 10 showed that there were no cancerous substances in the wheat.
This prompted the directorate to express doubts on the results of the tests carried out by the Health Ministry.
Hakim told al-Joumhouria that he had full confidence in the laboratory that tested the samples sent by his ministry.
“Even if there were carcinogenic substances in the wheat, would we deal with the issue by stoking panic among citizens?” asked Hakim.
He added that Abou Faour was only after an advertisement campaign.
The two ministers exchanged accusations last year on imported sugar after Abou Faour claimed that the shipments did not meet health standards.
The Health Minster launched an anti-corruption campaign last year, forcing the closure of butcheries, the seizure of expired goods and even the arrest of businessmen.
His campaign started with food safety inspections of restaurants and supermarkets, but has expanded far beyond that.
G.K.
D.A.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/204856 |