Why was the feed ban introduced?
Findings by the scientific committees linked the spread of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) to the consumption of feed contaminated by the infected ruminant protein in the form of PAP. In other words, PAP produced from ruminant carcasses, some of which were infected, was assumed to be the transmission route of BSE. Based on these findings a ban on the feeding ruminant protein to ruminants was enforced in Denmark 1990. In 1994 EU introduced a ban of mammalian processed animal protein to cattle, sheep and goats.
The ban was expanded in January 2001 with the feeding of all processed animal proteins to all farmed animals being prohibited, with certain limited exceptions. This is to ensure that there is no cross-contamination between feed containing PAP intended for species other than ruminants and feed intended for ruminants. Only certain animal proteins considered to be safe (such as fishmeal) can be used, and even then under very strict conditions.
Existing derogations
The derogations are based on strict channeling requirements. The aim is to avoid cross-contamination, between allowed feed materials and none allowed feed materials thus ensuring that particular species are not fed with material containing prohibited ruminant materials.
Read a summerized version of the exisitng derogations provided for in Annex IV to the TSE Regulation (food.ec.europa.eu).
Controls
Official controls must be carried out by the Member States' competent authority to verify the correct application of the feed ban, based on laboratory analytical methods, as laid down in Annex I and Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 152/2009.
Read Annex I and Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 152/2009 here (eur-lex.europa.eu).
The validation of analytical methods for the official controls of the feed ban is carried out by the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Animal Proteins in Feeding stuffs, which also organizes inter-laboratory studies to ensure the excellence of performance of National Reference Laboratories (NRL).
Read more about the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Animal Proteins in Feeding stuffs (eurl.craw.eu).
The EU feed ban provisions are reviewed regularly based on EFSA opinions and the development of new analytical methods for official controls.
Physical controls must be carried out according to the Control Regulation (EU) No 2017/625. The controls are carried out on the establishments registered or authorized according to the feed ban. This control is supplemented by controls on other establishments with e.g. random checks of cross contamination of feed of vegetable origin for undesired animal constituents.
EU Legislation
European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 999/2001, known as "the TSE Regulation" is based on sound scientific advice. The feed ban is found in annex IV in the TSE Regulation.
Read the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 (eur-lex.europa.eu).
Establishments are public available, and concerns:
- slaughterhouses
- processing plants
- feed establishments producing compound feed
- transporters with an approved cleaning procedure
See the List of Approved and Registered Danish Feed Business Operators in either English or Danish.