Harmful Bacteria detected in fresh sample of Chinese Org. Fertilizer

COLOMBO (News 1st); Harmful Bacteria has been detected in a fresh sample of Chinese Organic Fertilizer, said the Director General of Agriculture Dr. Ajantha De Silva on Tuesday (28).

He told News 1st that samples from a Chinese company tested by authorities once again proved the presence of bacteria and he maintains the position to NOT allow any organic fertilizer from the particular supplier to be imported to the country.

"We cannot confirm the presence of Erwinia, but we can confirm the presence of harmful bacteria in this new sample," he added.

Dr. De Silva said the government will have to cancel the contract awarded to the Chinese company to supply organic fertilizer, and the Department of Agriculture will NEVER allow such organic fertilizer with harmful bacteria to enter the country.

This supplier was revealed as Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co., Ltd.

On the 17th of September Sri Lanka’s Minister of Agriculture confirmed today that a microorganism identified as ‘Erwinia’ was discovered in samples brought down ‘unofficially’ to Sri Lanka and tested.

The supplier was the same, Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co., Ltd.