Feed operators have been urged to comply with safety limits and strict implementation of regulations to enhance the industry and its value chain in the country.
A Professor of Animal Nutrition and Field Toxicology, David Apata, made the observation while delivering the 7th inaugural lecture of the Kwara State University, Malete.
The lecture is titled ‘Feed is Good, Toxicants the Bane’.
According to him, safety standards should form a fundamental component of policy measures to support the feed industry.
Such standards, he noted, should be developed for different species of animals in respect of natural toxicants and contaminants in ingredients used for feed production.
Apata said feed safety should be a vital part of the Animal Production curriculum adding that interdisciplinary research should be encouraged to develop efficient and effective post-harvest detoxification procedures.
While calling for synergy among engineers, nutritionists and toxicologists to enhance existing commercial feed mills and their value chain, the inaugural lecturer challenged engineers and nutritional biochemists to design appropriate instruments to test for feed toxicants.
He called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies to monitor the use of antibiotics in animals.
