The
following set of notes have been compiled from two texts concerning the recent
dioxin scandal in Germany (and consequently in the rest of Western Europe). Use
these notes to write a half page summary of the two short texts on the BBC
website (bbc.co.uk/news). When you have completed your summaries, your teacher
will give you a copy of the original texts which you will then be able to read
and compare to your own piece of writing. The names of the texts are as follows:”Dioxin
scare: German feed fat
contains 77 times limit” and “Q&A: German dioxin scare”. Before you start read the notes
carefully and decide how you should reorganize them to produce a chronological
and well thought out paragraph – as you would when writing any good summary.
You will also need to use the passive voice throughout to emphasize the process
and its effects.
THE NOTES
Levels of dioxin: 77 times permitted level
Permitted level: 0.75 nanograms /kg
Feed: 58 nanograms /kg
Plant (Harles und Jentzsch): Fats
For use in industrial processes (paper
making for instance)
And for use in: animal feed (to enrich
it)
Mix up: Fatty acids for industrial processes
into vegetable feed fat
Fatty acids contain dioxin
Delivered to: 25 animal feed makers
Feed
fed to: Chickens and pigs
Poisoned poultry, pork and eggs: First
in Germany
Later, exported to: The Netherlands, Britain
There: Into mayonnaise, cakes and the like
March last year: High levels of dioxin noted by H&J
Government: Nothing until December 2010
Feed company: Not registered to avoid controls
Dioxin: Toxic, cancer, harm to pregnant women, developmental
problems, damage to immune system, interfere with hormones
Spread throughout EU: Hard to determine
Because: Food production and processing systems integrated
Authorities: Not to worry; consumers would have to eat vast
quantities to be sick
