the municipal government of Saitama, Japan, has asked an association of waste facilities to temporarily shut down incinerators after residents called for a boycott of vegetables, which were reportedly contaminated with dioxin.

Officials said they will ask more than 100 industrial waste facilities in Saitama to cease operations until March 31, by when the inspection officials will complete safety inspections of vegetable products.

However, the facilities are under no obligation to follow the government's request. A report in a televisions channel had alleged that vegetables produced in Tokorozawa, where many incinerators are located, contained high levels of a cancer-causing dioxin.

Subsequently, supermarket chain operators and vegetable shops took the vegetables from Tokorozawa off their shelves. Local officials said the boycott had caused a loss of millions of dollars to local producers. The Saitama government is considering measures to support local farmers. The possible plans include loans to farmers who buy vegetable washing machines and a programme to offset farming losses caused by a drop in market prices.