1. REGULATIONS ON AFLATOXIN IN LIVESTOCK FEEDS AND Current STATUS OF ANIMAL FEED REGULATION IN Nigeria Joseph Nyager (DVM, MSc) DIRECTOR/CVO FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT ABUJA -NIGERIA s

2. Outline Introduction Major Aflatoxin contaminated feed ingredients
Major risk factors for Nigeria
Aflatoxins in fish, pig and poultry
Previous efforts made on regulation of Aflatoxin in livestock feeds
Status of animal feed regulation in Nigeria
Conclusion

3. Introduction Nigeria in West Africa. About 160 million people.
36 states and 773 LGAs.
Africa
Nigeria

4. Animal Resources of Nigeria
Nigeria has the largest animal resources in the West African region.
Cattle million
Sheep million
Goats million
Poultry million
Pigs million
Camels and Donkey 0.7 million
Source: FAOSTAT, 2009
Agriculture contributes 44% to National GDP - Livestock contributes 25% of the Agricultural GDP

5. Aflatoxins
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that are produced by different species of Aspergillus, a fungus, the most notable ones being Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasitium
Aflatoxin B1 is known to be the most significant form that causes serious risk to animals and human health

6. Common Aflatoxin contaminated feed sources
Protein sources :
Groundnut cake
Palm kernel meal
Cotton seed cake
Energy sources:
Rice-bran
Wheat
Maize and by-products
Aflatoxin B1 is the most common form of the toxin- found in groundnut, maize and sorghum.

7. Major Risk factors Tropical and subtropical environmental conditions
Poor feed storage and shipment conditions
lack of regulation in amount of aflatoxin in food and feed
Less attention given to feed quality control
Cultural practices of feed preservation
Low awareness on effects of aflatoxins

8. Aflatoxins in fish
Fish farming is becoming increasingly lucrative and proficient in Nigeria
 45% of the fish consumed in Nigeria are smoked - dried
Studies have confirmed that aflatoxin B concentrations in the sample of smooked fish were between 1.5 – 8.1 μg/kg, Adebayo-Tayo et al.,
 Smoked-dried fish stored for sale in some parts of the country may be heavily contaminated with aflatoxins
An indication that prolonged intake of smoked fish with these metabolites may constitute potential public health hazard

9. Aflatoxin in Pigs
It has been demonstrated that for each mg/kg increase of aflatoxin in the diet of pigs, the growth rate would be depressed by 16 % .
Feeding diets contaminated with aflatoxin increases the risk of vitamin s A and E deficiency in pigs and also depresses the immune system
Dietary aflatoxin B1 concentrations from 70 to 140 mg/kg decreased the rate of weight gain by 5 to 11 %, (Yueming Dersjant-Li.,et al; 2003)
Immune-suppressive effects of aflatoxin in pigs renders them more susceptible to any concurrent diseases - viral influenza and mycoplasma pneumonia and secondary infections .
Cumulatively , a big lose to pig fatteners who are after faster turnovers

10. Aflatoxin in poultry
Poultry -the most affected, as over 60% of poultry feeds sources are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination
Poultry absorb aflatoxin faster but excrete the metabolites slower than other animals
Feeding of aflatoxin contaminated feed to poultry leads to:
Reduced feed intake
Reduced growth rate
Poor feed conversion efficiency
These are key indices in a successful poultry production

11. Aflatoxin in man
Residues of aflatoxin and metabolites in food may lead to:
Liver damage, carcinogenic effect s in man, severe tissue and organ damage and can eventually result in death
Food stuff containing aflatoxin levels in excess of 20 ppb is not wholesome for human consumption and animal feeds.

12. Toxin factors Heat stable – not destroyed by processing .
Invisible, odourless and tasteless .
Reduces feed intake, nutrients in feed and nutrient absorption, altered nutrient metabolism, immuno-suppression and cell death.
Toxin passes through the food chain to humans - residues in muscles, kidneys, liver, eggs etc
Abdu, 2012

13. Regulations on Aflatoxin
No specific regulation on Aflatoxin in livestock feeds yet
NLDC in 2012 set up a committee to come up with a comprehensive and all encompassing proposal on regulation and standards of livestock feeds
Committee’s report to be considered and sent to the NCA’s meeting in 2013
ATA supports the institutionalization and review of regulations that will enhance food safety and international trade.

14. Status of animal feed regulation
Existing legislation is being reviewed to address current challenges in the livestock feed industry
Collaborating organizations and institutions include:
FMA&RD and agencies
SON
Feed industries
Livestock famers

15. Challenges of Aflatoxin in Nigeria
Un-quantified economic consequences:
Trade inhibition
Direct and indirect production losses
Post harvest losses to farmers
Disease burden in both human and animals
Mortality in both human and animals

16. Conclusion
Feeding aflatoxin contaminated materials to animals and aquaculture impairs:
Feed intake
Efficiency of feed utilization and/or animal health
Moreover, residues of aflatoxins, consumed by animals, can appear in animal products consumed by human
Realistic regulations on control of aflatoxins in animal feeds is crucial and important aspect of food safety.

17. Thank you for listening