Brussels, 27/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU decided on Thursday 26 November not to oppose the adoption on the European Commission's delegated regulation amending Annexes III and IV of Regulation 999/2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE).
This delegated act brings technical amendments to the rules on the monitoring of epizootics. The Commission will be able to adopt the regulation if the Parliament raises no objections.
Following an agreement between the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the preparation and publication of the EU's annual summary report on the monitoring and testing of ruminants for the presence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies will be transferred from the Commission to EFSA.
Annex IV to Regulation 999/2001 prohibits the feeding to certain farmed animals of processed animal proteins, in particular those derived from non-ruminants. In addition, according to Annex IV, fishmeal and compound feed containing fishmeal may be used for feeding non-ruminant farmed animals, including aquaculture animals. Annex IV provides that bulk processed animal protein derived from non-ruminants, and bulk compound feed containing such protein, shall be transported in vehicles and containers which are not used for the transport of feed intended for non-ruminant farmed animals other than aquaculture animals. Since fishmeal and compound feed containing fishmeal are authorised to be used in feed for all non-ruminant farmed animals, this provision should not apply to fishmeal or to compound feed containing fishmeal. Annex IV should therefore be amended in order to exclude fishmeal.
Export of processed animal protein. The situation with regard to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has considerably improved in the EU. In 2013, 7 cases of BSE were reported in the Union and in 2014, there were 11 reported cases, compared to 2,166 reported cases in 2001 and 2,124 reported cases in 2002. This improvement of the BSE situation in the Union is reflected in the fact that 20 member states are now recognised as having a negligible BSE risk status. The delegated act removes the requirement that a written agreement be concluded with the third country of destination as a prerequisite for exporting non-ruminant processed animal protein, and products containing such protein, and the prohibition that these products are used in third countries to feed farmed animals, except for aquaculture animals. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)