Feed ban: Commission authorises use of certain animal proteins
August 17, 2021/ EC/ European Union.
https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/sante
Yesterday, 17 August 2021, the Commission adopted the decision to amend the feed ban regulation, allowing the use of certain animal proteins to feed non-ruminant farmed animals such as pigs and poultry.
The decision, based on the scientific opinion by the European Food and Safety Authority, follows approval from both the European Parliament and Council as well as the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed in April 2021.
The Commission’s proposal come in the wake of advances in scientific knowledge, which showed that certain specific feed ban measures implemented since 2001 were no longer justified. Yesterday’s announcement will contribute to the further improvement and enhancement of the animal feed chain, promoting more sustainable agriculture under the Farm-to-Fork strategy.
The Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1372, adopted on 17 August authorises the following uses:
- processed animal protein derived from pigs and insects in poultry feed;
- processed animal protein derived from poultry and insect in pig feed;
- gelatine and collagen of ruminant origin in the feed of non-ruminant farmed animals.
Strict conditions are built in the Regulation to prevent cross-contamination, ensure compliance with the prohibition of intra-species recycling (i.e. cannibalism), and facilitate official control of the feed.
The new measures allow broader use of high quality protein derived from pigs, poultry and insects in feed that is locally sourced and produced in the European Union and that will meet nutritional needs of some specific categories of pigs and poultry. In addition, the relaxation of the use of processed animal protein derived from pigs and poultry will contribute to sustainable and competitive European farming.
More information on the Feed Ban Regulation can be found here.