Accra, Nov. 17, GNA - The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) on Tuesday debunked reports that it was involved in a shady rice deal. In a communiqu=E9 issued and signed by Ms Annie Anipa, Assistant Commissioner, Public Relations, CEPS, said the product in question was five out of seven containers of paddy rice imported into the country in August 2006.

"Upon examination by the CEPS laboratory, we discovered that the rice had expired and was unfit for human consumption. While awaiting destruction, we received a letter from Devine Feed Mills to use the expired rice for the production of animal feed," she stated.

Ms Anipa stated that CEPS received a letter dated September 3, 2009 and signed by the Acting Director of the Animal Production Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) directing it to release the paddy

rice to Divine Feed Mills Limited after inspecting the samples. "Having inspected the sample before us, we have no objection to the use of the discarded paddy rice as animal feed ingredient, provided it is used solely for this purpose," the MOFA letter said.

Ms Anipa said based on the strength of the letter, and after inspecting the premises of the feed millers, CEPS subsequently auctioned the five containers of paddy rice to Devine Feed. The Deputy Commissioner said the rice was auctioned on 15th September and cleared on the 29th of October. She added that taxes collected which were duly receipted had been paid into government chest.