Lebanon's interior ministry closed down a facility in Nabatieh, southern Beirut, on Friday that was illegally producing bone meal and threatening the health of the town’s residents, animals, and environment, reported the Daily Star newspaper.
The paper noted that another such facility is still operating despite persistent attempts by residents to have it shut down.
The facilities which grind animal bones, skulls, and horns for animal feed are both located near inhabited areas. They attract insects and wild animals while emitting a foul stench, polluting both the atmosphere and pastures, according to the paper.
Security sources said the fodder in the closed facility would be destroyed by an environment ministry expert in a scientific and safe way without harming public health.
The open facility lays out animal bones, fur, and skulls to dry in the sun, after being transported there by night in dozens of trucks. They are then sold as animal feed at the beginning of every fall.
Hadi Makki, the head of Nabatieh’s agricultural department, said the area’s authorities warned both owners to shut down their facilities. He said it was prohibited to grind or sell bones because animal feed can cause Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease, according to the paper -- Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
