Brussels, 21/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission confirmed in Brussels on Monday 21 February that it was looking at relaxing the ban on meat and bone meal with a view to approving the use of processed animal protein in feed given to pigs and poultry.
At the Agriculture Council on Monday highlighted the advantages of easing the restrictive measures adopted in 2001 to combat BSE (bovine spongiform encephalitis). It claimed that, if poultry and pigs could be fed meat and bone meal - taking care to avoid their eating any of their own species - it would improve the competitiveness of European producers facing competition of third country suppliers. EU demand for and dependence on vegetable protein, especially soya, would be reduced “by around 30-35%” and the cost of meat and egg production would also be reduced.
In response to Poland's request, which was supported by Slovenia, Lithuania and Romania, the European Commission said that relaxation of Community rules was being considered as part of the EST (transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) road map, but that implementation would still require very precise rules to be drafted and approved on the scientific level.
This caution was shared by the other member states. Among the provisions and assurances that were felt essential were: - tests on the origins of the meal, the monitoring of sectors and clear separation of production chains into those for feeds for ruminants and those for pig and poultry feeds. (L.C./transl.rt)