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Aflatoxin waiver granted in Illinois
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted a waiver in Illinois to blend corn containing Aflatoxin. The waiver request came from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The FDA waiver adds stability to all levels of the value chain, according to Shawneetown, Illinois farmer Jeff Scates, president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
“It’s good for the producer and it’s also good for the end user,” Scates told Brownfield Ag News Wednesday. “It makes more corn available for livestock.”
This specific waiver, which applies only to Illinois, does not mandate that elevators accept Aflatoxin-affected corn. Illinois Grain and Feed Association Executive Vice President Jeff Adkisson says it allows voluntary compliance, which he calls a tough balancing act.
“Producers sometimes get a little frustrated with us because they’ve got long lines at the elevator because they’ve got to do testing, but we’ve got to protect the company,” said Adkisson, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News Wednesday. “We’ve got to protect our businesses as well, and we’ve got to protect the customer on the other end, which may be the feed industry or an export market, or something like that.”
Elevators or grain blenders must first apply for an Aflatoxin Compliance Certification.
Information on Aflatoxin, the recent waiver, and other issues impacting farmers and consumers is available on the Illinois Corn Growers Association website.
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