Egypt's Ag Ministry Head Removed In "Restructuring"

The head of the quarantine office at Egypt’s agriculture ministry was removed in a "restructuring" of several departments, as the world’s largest wheat importer faced anger from traders confused about the amount of a toxic fungus the government allows in imports of the grain.  The quarantine authority has recently rejected a series of wheat shipments for having traces of a common grain fungus, ergot. The decision raised concerns over the country’s tough new quality rules and caused suppliers to avoid the international purchase tenders by the state grain buyer.  Confusion over Egypt’s position on ergot levels has roiled market this year after the Agriculture Ministry rejected cargoes containing the fungus, then gave conflicting statements over how much fungus it allows.  The uncertainty led to Egypt canceling tenders for wheat or receiving fewer offers than it usually did when it tendered for the grain. The North African nation spends billions of dollars buying wheat for a subsidized bread program for its 88 million people.