Brussels, 27/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 1 July, the European Commission will unveil a package of measures to reduce food waste and will suggest re-introducing the use of processed animal protein to feed non-ruminant farm animals (pigs and poultry).
This package of measures to introduce a circular economy will include a report on sustainable food and changes to current food waste rules. The Commission suggests gradually re-introducing the use of processed animal protein (bone meal) to the feed of non-ruminants.
The EU member states have already given the go-ahead to the reintroduction of bone meal as fish food which came into force in June 2013. The Commission says this was a first step in the process of lifting the ban on bone meal in food for monogastric animals, ie pigs and poultry.
A draft version of the 1 July Commission report says it is open to the idea of making better use of animals and their by-products in food and feed. It recommends appropriate control measures along the entire food chain. In order to avoid cannibalism, the Commission says that analytical tools will be needed to test for the presence of poultry and pig DNA in feed destined for these animals.
The Commission is considering asking the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority about the use of some parts of cattle intestines in pet food, if it is judged to be safe. The Commission is also considering using unsellable food such as broken biscuits and stale bread as ingredients for food for animals.
The European Commission is considering, too, restricting the use of 'best before' labelling, as suggested by European Health Commissioner Tonio Borg. Finally, the European institution suggests ensuring that food waste is automatically and properly measured by the member states in order to be able to monitor progress. (LC)