...His words came after high levels of dioxin were found in samples of buffalo milk. Sixty-six buffalo herds have been quarantined. Despite assurances that only tiny quantities are affected, sales of Neapolitan mozzarella have fallen by half in recent weeks.
Fears that dioxin — which is linked to cancer and birth defects — was infecting both agricultural land and livestock arose at the end of last year when rotting piles of uncollected rubbish in the Naples area began to produce dioxin fumes. Residents have been screened for contamination.
...The rubbish crisis — which is linked to saturated illegal landfills operated by the Camorra, the Naples Mafia — remains largely unresolved. Illegally buried waste is said to have contaminated soil and locally produced fruit and vegetables as well as buffalo herds....
linkI've posted this here, because I have just finished
Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano. It's about one of the mafias of Italy, the Commora based in Naples, Campania. It was a fascinating account of their activities and very current with the news today about the tainting of buffalo milk they use to make mozzarella likely being due to mob control of the waste industry. It also shows how they have embraced the global markets.
Though scarily enough they aren't even the most 'successful' mafia group, that dishonour goes to the 'Ndrangheta from Calabria with the Scicilian Cosa Nostra coming in a poor third.
It is only in hardback at the moment but I found it in the library, recommended reading for those interested in true crime and the like.
Just amazing how organised crime can entirely distort the economy of a country.
