Strict rules on the use of processed animal proteins (PAPs) introduced
in 2001 to combat Transmissable Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) could soon be
reviewed.
With growing pressure on the European Commission from the agriculture
sector to consider a possible reintroduction of PAPs in animal feed, MEPs have
thrown their support behind the proposals.
Of course the devastating effects of TSE and BSE are still hauntingly
vivid for all in the industry. This led to the 2001 introduction of EU control
measures to combat the spread of BSE. These measures included a ban on the
feeding of processed animal proteins to animals kept, fattened or bred for the
production of food. Effectively, don’t feed animal protein to other animals to
prevent any spread of the disease.
Efforts to combat TSE by the EU have been successful, but the EU protein
deficit and constant increase in feed prices have prompted increasing calls for
a review of the rules. MEPs have clearly been listening and their decision has
largely been welcomed, with some claiming it to be a useful step in unwinding
TSE regulations.
The Commission’s TSE
Roadmap 2 strategy paper has set out proposals which would allow pig and
poultry protein to be used in animal feed. It would allow pigs to be fed
poultry protein and poultry to be fed pig protein. Importantly though, bans on
protein from cattle and sheep in animal feed and on protein being fed to
animals of the same species would remain in force.
Understandably, the issue remains sensitive and highly emotive both
within the industry and among consumers. If a decision is made to reintroduce
pig and poultry protein in animal feed it is unlikely to come into force until
the latter part of 2012. In July the European Parliament adopted a
non-legislative resolution supporting the gradual lift of the ban on feeding
animal protein to non-ruminants, provided further safeguards are put in place.
These safeguards include stipulating that the processed animal proteins must
come from species not linked to TSE and may be fed only to non-herbivores. It
has also stressed that only PAPs fit for human consumption should be used.
Consumer confidence will no doubt be key to the success of any
amendments to the current legislation and potential future developments. It
remains of paramount importance that exceptional animal and public health
standards must be maintained to help ensure that all of the hard work carried
out to combat TSE is not undone. As such, caution will be the watchword with
regards to any changes to the status quo.