The Jordanian health minister defends rotten cargo of US wheat

Jordanian Health Minister Ishaq Maraqa defended yesterday a cargo of rotten U.S. wheat in which rats, rodents and insects were found.

Maraqa confirmed the goodness of the cargo as a result of the tests that showed its suitability for human consumption, denying that he was exposed to external or internal pressures to pass this cargo of 47,000 tons. He expressed his readiness to take a decision to get rid of the cargo if it proved to be unfit, depending on scientific basis.

The Jordanian National Society for Consumer Protection demanded either confiscating, getting rid of or reexporting the shipment for violating standards.