Tests reaffirm harmful bacteria in samples

The National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) has reaffirmed that harmful microorganisms -- Erwinia and Bacillus – were present in organic fertiliser samples from a Chinabased company, after its preliminary findings were questioned by the Chinese authorities.

NPQS Additional Director Dr W A R T Wickramaarachchi told the Sunday Times comprehensive laboratory studies the NPQS carried out reconfirmed the preliminary findings.

Earlier samples were subjected to Standard Microbiological tests to find out whether the samples are contaminated with culturable microorganisms (Sterility Testing).

According to the report submitted to the Agriculture Ministry early last month, Dr Wickramaarachchi noted one of the samples was found to be highly contaminated with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The preliminary studies revealed the presence of bacteria Bacillus and Erwinia which can be pathogenic to plants. Tests on another sample also showed it was highly contaminated with Bacillus.

“We have submitted a comprehensive report after laboratory studies which reconfirm our preliminary findings sent to the Ministry. It took us more than four days to come up with a preliminary report,” Dr Wickramaarachchi said while responding to a statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Colombo last week questioning the findings in the report.

Dr Wickramaarachchi said if there was a dispute, China should have acted in terms of the International Plant Protection Convention rather than issuing statements from the embassy.

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Fertiliser Company (CFC) Ltd., which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, informed the Chinese company which secured the tender to send 57,600mt of organic fertiliser that the ministry would not accept the first consignment based on quality assurance reports submitted by the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS).

In a letter addressed to Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Ltd on Friday, CFC Chairman Janath Vidange said that according to the NPQS final reports, samples provided by the company were contaminated with several bacterial species including Erwinia and Bacillus and therefore could not be considered sterile.

"The samples do not comply with the Sri Lankan Standards," he said.

The CFC also made it clear that 12,150mt of fertiliser in the vessel MV Hippo Spirit was not in conformity with the conditions set out in the contract.