Brussels, 25/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The ban on meat and bone meal for non-ruminants (pigs, poultry and fish) will not be lifted immediately as a scientific analysis is needed before this measure can be envisaged, even though it would provide a source of protein for livestock and also reduce the EU's dependency on other protein sources.
In conclusions on the roadmap No2 (2010-2015) for TSE (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies) due to be adopted by the Agriculture Council on Monday 29 November, ministers consider “it a prerequisite of any possible re-introduction of the use of non-ruminant PAPs (Ed: Processed Animal Proteins) to feed for other non-ruminant species that effective and validated tests are available to distinguish between PAPs originating from different species and that there has been a careful analysis of the risks of relaxation, regarding animal and public health”. The Council states it is aware of the “important ethical and environmental considerations in relation to the use of PAPs as ingredients for feed for farmed animals”.
The European Commission, for its part, welcomes the Council's support for this new TSE roadmap (presented in July this year - EUROPE 10183) and confirms that “progress should be made” on easing the rules on PAP prohibition “when the necessary supportive scientific opinion is received” after consulting the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The Commission, however, maintains the ban on “animal cannibalism” (a pig must not eat pig flour, for example). On 1 January 2001, at the height of the mad cow outbreak, the EU placed a total ban on the use of processed animal protein in feed for livestock that would enter the food chain with a few exceptions (such as the use of fish flour for non-ruminants). In its conclusions, the Council acknowledges the “fundamental importance of the ban on using processed animal protein in feed for farmed animals in preventing the circulation of BSE via the feed chain and thus playing the key role in the reduction of the incidence of this disease in the bovine population”.
Review of BSE surveillance. The Council also hopes to adjust the BSE surveillance system for cattle in order to target surveillance better. This would ensure that the EU surveillance system is more effective and targeted with a better cost-effectiveness ratio for all member states. Finally, the Council notes the other priorities set out by veterinary experts: - continued review of the list of specified risk material (SRM) and the age limit for animals after which screening should be carried out (the Commission plans to continue gradually raising the age limit for screening purposes); - re-defining of the aims of measures relating to scrapie; - and the culling of bovine cohorts when a case of BSE appears on a farm (the Commission hopes to put an end to this rule). (L.C./transl.jl)