Feed manufacturer sued over horse deaths and health risks

The MPSP (Public Ministry of São Paulo) filed a lawsuit against an animal nutrition company that caused the death of dozens of horses and the illness of hundreds of animals in a stud farm in Indaiatuba and in establishments located in other cities in the country.

Among the requests made to the Court are the freezing of the defendants' assets, the prohibition of resuming the company's activities before complying with the requirements of MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock), the recall of contaminated products, the compensation of harmed consumers and the payment of R$ 10 million for collective moral damages.

According to investigations, the company used soybean residue contaminated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the manufacture of feed for horses, cattle, pigs and poultry.

The data gathered by MAPA shows 238 confirmed deaths of horses in different states of the country. At a stud farm in Indaiatuba, 29 deaths were recorded and around 120 animals became ill.

Contaminated feed: More than 240 horses have already died, says Ministry of Agriculture | CNN NEW DAY

Laboratory tests and necropsies showed that the substances were present in concentrations up to 2,600 times higher than the limit considered safe for horses.

Deaths and illnesses were also reported on properties in cities such as Campinas, Itu, Porto Feliz, Volta Redonda and Jaboticatubas.

At the time, there was a request for a writ of mandamus against the precautionary suspension of manufacturing made by the company, which was appealed by the ministry, presenting new technical evidence that reinforces the health risk and proves the need to maintain the measures adopted.

Source: CNN