Quality inspection practices for corn purchases are being reviewed

By: STA Date: 2024. 11. 15. 10:00

The Ministry of Agriculture is reviewing the quality inspection practices for corn purchases. Instead of creating unnecessary tension, self-restraint and compliance with the rules are needed in the corn market, said István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture. The National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) is continuously inspecting businesses, there is no general problem and the domestic toxin situation is manageable.

(Photo: Pixabay)

The Minister warned that the hype built on the partial toxin contamination of the corn crop, which is experienced in order to negatively influence market processes for producers, is destroying economic confidence. István Nagy calls for self-restraint and compliance with the rules from the players in the sector. If processors, traders, producers and authorities also perform their tasks properly, then corn of appropriate quality and quantity will be available to the domestic processing industry and feed production, he added. He explained that in order to reduce and eliminate the widespread distrust that has developed in the sector regarding corn purchase activities in the future, the ministry is reviewing whether the quality inspection practice of cereals can be improved with regulatory tools.

According to the indications of the farmers, the inspection of cereals before purchase is currently carried out in a heterogeneous manner in Hungary, especially with regard to the determination of toxin content

This may cause significant vulnerability and losses for domestic farmers. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture is examining how the existing differences in the field of quality inspections can be reduced with regulatory tools, thereby increasing producer safety and transparency. Following consultations with the profession, there may also be an opportunity to review the regulatory tools in this area, István Nagy emphasized.

The minister reminded that this year, the risk of mycotoxins, especially aflatoxin, in corn crops has increased due to the dry, persistent heat waves in the summer weather.

However, producers must do everything possible to preserve the quality of harvested corn stocks during storage, and appropriate cleaning and treatment processes must be carried out as necessary. From the point of view of consumers, the most important thing is that the current legislation and inspections guarantee in all cases that contaminated goods above the limit value cannot enter food and feed. If justified and necessary, Nébih will repeatedly inspect companies processing and using corn, the head of the agricultural ministry added.