Brussels, 22/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 14 April, the European Commission adopted a draft regulation on ensuring safety for all animal feed and bringing al companies in the sector into compliance with harmonised demands regarding hygiene and improvements in the traceablity of the products in question. These new rules will replace Community legislation on the subject, in place since 1995. This proposal is expected to be adopted by the Council, after the opinion of the European Parliament in codecision procedure. The Commission is seeking:
- To make registration compulsory with the national authorities or all those involved in the animal feed chain production sector;
- Ensure that all actors respect the harmonised rules on hygiene;
- Application of good practices at all levels of production and use of animal feed;
- Set up HACCP principles (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) for dangers in companies in the sector, excluding farms involved in primary production. During implementation of HACCP, farmers will have to devise specific monitoring programmes. All possible dangers will have to be identified and appropriate inspection procedures will have to be put in place for all companies (tailor made). Corrective measures will have to be taken during inspections that reveal risk problems. Systems will have to be regularly updated. Principles include the obligation to co-sign documents and registers of all checks carried out, which will enable more effective and efficient inspections by the relevant authorities.
- Compel the different links in the chain to provide financial guarantees for covering the risks lined to their activities. This guarantee would cover the costs of market withdrawal or the destruction of contaminated animal feed and the foodstuffs from them.
- Use provisions to ensure that animal feed imported into the Community respect Community hygiene standards. Thus, importer countries will have to be included on a list of third countries where animal feed are allowed. The company exporting will also have to be on a list of companies that have the right to import animal feed.
