Daily Sabah reports that Turkey is closely following the crisis that began with the detection of fipronil in eggs produced in some European countries.

Following the crisis, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock also conducted an analysis in laboratories to determine whether the eggs produced in Turkey had the substance in question.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, samples from different facilities in various regions were analyzed. Fipronil was not detected in the analyses conducted on eggs produced in Turkey.

After fipronil, which is hazardous to human health, was found in eggs in some European countries, the activities of the farms where the eggs were produced was halted and the eggs were removed from the shelves and destroyed.

Fipronil, which is not allowed to be used in edible animals as required by European Union and Turkish legislation, is licensed in spray or drip form to be used as an antiparasitic in inedible animals.

Those sold containing 500 g/l of fipronil active substance as a plant protection product can be used as licensed seed sprayer for corn and sunflower.

Since 2005, Turkey has been carrying out the National Residue Monitoring Plan (NRMP) according to the regulations in line with the EU directive. The NRMP is in a plan status that is obligatory for all exporting countries to apply for the export of primary animal products to the EU with the decision of the EU Council and is being prepared every year based on the production data of the previous year. The prepared plans will be sent to the EU by the end of March.

Turkey had been included on the list of third countries whose NRMP is accepted in poultry, aquacultural products, milk and honey since 2006; eggs were also included in the plan in 2010. Under the NRMP, veterinary drug residues, pesticides, contaminants and contagious substances and substances prohibited for use are analyzed. The planned number of samples is determined according to the EU directive on the basis of production data and implemented after approval by the EU.

Fipronil is used to control ants, insects, fleas, ticks, termites, plant pests, root worms and other insects, as well as wireworms in the production of corn and sunflower. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified fipronil as a moderately hazardous pesticide.