REGULATIONS ON AFLATOXIN IN LIVESTOCK FEEDS AND CURRENT STATUS OF ANIMAL FEED REGULATION

IN NIGERIA

JOSEPH NYAGER (DVM, MSC)

DIRECTOR/CVO FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT ABUJA -NIGERIA

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Outline

Introduction Major Aflatoxin contaminated feed ingredients Major risk factors for Nigeria Aflatoxins in fish, pig and poultry Previous efforts made on regulation of Aflatoxin in livestock

feeds Status of animal feed regulation in Nigeria Conclusion

Introduction

Nigeria in West Africa. About 160 million people. 36 states and 773 LGAs.

Nigeria Africa

Animal Resources of Nigeria

Nigeria has the largest animal resources in the West African region. Cattle 17 million Sheep 33 million Goats 52 million Poultry 166 million Pigs 6.6 million Camels and Donkey 0.7 million

Source: FAOSTAT, 2009

Agriculture contributes 44% to National GDP - Livestock contributes 25% of the Agricultural GDP

Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that are produced by different species of Aspergillus, a fungus, the most notable ones being Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasitium

Aflatoxin B1 is known to be the most significant form that causes serious risk to animals and human health

Common Aflatoxin contaminated feed sources

Protein sources : Groundnut cake Palm kernel meal Cotton seed cake

Energy sources: Rice-bran Wheat Maize and by-products

Aflatoxin B1 is the most common form of the toxin- found in groundnut, maize and sorghum.

Major Risk factors

Tropical and subtropical environmental conditions Poor feed storage and shipment conditions lack of regulation in amount of aflatoxin in food and feed Less attention given to feed quality control Cultural practices of feed preservation Low awareness on effects of aflatoxins

Aflatoxins in fish

Fish farming is becoming increasingly lucrative and proficient in Nigeria

 45% of the fish consumed in Nigeria are smoked - dried Studies have confirmed that aflatoxin B concentrations in the

sample of smooked fish were between 1.5 – 8.1 g/kg, μAdebayo-Tayo et al., 2008 .

 Smoked-dried fish stored for sale in some parts of the country may be heavily contaminated with aflatoxins

An indication that prolonged intake of smoked fish with these metabolites may constitute potential public health hazard

Aflatoxin in Pigs

It has been demonstrated that for each mg/kg increase of aflatoxin in the diet of pigs, the growth rate would be depressed by 16 % .

Feeding diets contaminated with aflatoxin increases the risk of vitamin s A and E deficiency in pigs and also depresses the immune system

Dietary aflatoxin B1 concentrations from 70 to 140 mg/kg decreased the rate of weight gain by 5 to 11 %, (Yueming Dersjant-Li.,et al; 2003)

Immune-suppressive effects of aflatoxin in pigs renders them more susceptible to any concurrent diseases - viral influenza and mycoplasma pneumonia and secondary infections .

Cumulatively , a big lose to pig fatteners who are after faster turnovers

 

Aflatoxin in poultry

Poultry -the most affected, as over 60% of poultry feeds sources are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination

Poultry absorb aflatoxin faster but excrete the metabolites slower than other animals

Feeding of aflatoxin contaminated feed to poultry leads to:

•Reduced feed intake•Reduced growth rate•Poor feed conversion efficiency

These are key indices in a successful poultry production

Aflatoxin in man

Residues of aflatoxin and metabolites in food may lead to:

Liver damage, carcinogenic effect s in man, severe tissue and organ damage and can eventually result in death

Food stuff containing aflatoxin levels in excess of 20 ppb is not wholesome for human consumption and animal feeds.

 

Toxin factors

•Heat stable – not destroyed by processing . •Invisible, odourless and tasteless .

•Reduces feed intake, nutrients in feed and nutrient absorption, altered nutrient metabolism, immuno-suppression and cell death.

•Toxin passes through the food chain to humans - residues in muscles, kidneys, liver, eggs etc

Abdu, 2012

Regulations on Aflatoxin

No specific regulation on Aflatoxin in livestock feeds yet NLDC in 2012 set up a committee to come up with a

comprehensive and all encompassing proposal on regulation and standards of livestock feeds

Committee’s report to be considered and sent to the NCA’s meeting in 2013

ATA supports the institutionalization and review of regulations that will enhance food safety and international trade.

Status of animal feed regulation

Existing legislation is being reviewed to address current challenges in the livestock feed industry

Collaborating organizations and institutions include:

FMA&RD and agenciesSONFeed industriesLivestock famers

Challenges of Aflatoxin in Nigeria

Un-quantified economic consequences: Trade inhibition Direct and indirect production losses Post harvest losses to farmers Disease burden in both human and animals Mortality in both human and animals

Conclusion

Feeding aflatoxin contaminated materials to animals and aquaculture impairs:

I. Feed intake

II. Efficiency of feed utilization and/or animal health

III. Moreover, residues of aflatoxins, consumed by animals, can appear in animal products consumed by human

Realistic regulations on control of aflatoxins in animal feeds is crucial and important aspect of food safety.