February 28, 2012

Ireland's ASM Alternative Feeds to sue state for damages

ASM Alternative Feeds, an Irish animal feed firm, plans to sue the state for damages after a sample vial mix up led to a diagnosis of dioxin, shutting down the factory for five months, local news reports.

The Republic of Ireland's department of agriculture suspended ASM Alternative Feeds' license after a routine sample showed elevated dioxin levels.

It later turned out that the sample had been misplaced, a mix-up leading to a false assignation of dioxin.

The state laboratory carrying out the analysis apologised, but the dioxin result was only part of the grounds for the suspension of the license, namely a consignment of 8.5 tonnes feed delivered to a Northern Ireland address having gone missing.

ASM denies the traceability issues, and plans to relocate its manufacturing to the North.

The ASM Alternative Feeds factory unit is based in Castleblaney, co Monaghan, and employed six people full-time and two part-time.

Nigel Foster, general manager of ASM Alternative Feeds, said his solicitors intended to bring a case for damages.