Brussels, 14/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission regulation allowing the ban to be lifted on using processed animal protein (PAP) derived from non-ruminant farm animals (i.e. mainly from pigs and poultry) in fish feed came into force on 13 February 2013. This announcement was made by the European Commission on Thursday 14 February. Member state experts in the Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) had endorsed the measure last July. This will allow farmed fish and other aquaculture animals once again to be fed with non-ruminant PAPs. This re-authorisation will apply from 1 June 2013.
Twelve years ago, the EU decreed a total ban on bone meal to avoid the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The current BSE epidemiological situation shows that the EU is now on the final path to eradicating BSE within its cattle population.
The latest scientific opinions indicate that the risk of BSE transmission between non-ruminant animals is negligible, provided that intra-species recycling (cannibalism) is prevented. Traceability requirements will be ensured all along the feed chain via a channelling system in order to prevent cross-contamination with feed-stuffs intended for species other than fish. In addition, very sensitive analytical tests based on DNA detection will be used to control the correct implementation of the channelling system. The Commission hopes to go further in lifting the embargo. It plans to re-introduce the use of pig and poultry PAPs for poultry and pigs. The Commission does not, however, intend to propose the re-authorisation of PAPs for feeding ruminant animals (i.e. cattle, sheep or goats) or to propose the re-use of PAPs from ruminants for feeding non-ruminant farmed animals. (LC/transl.fl)