EU adopts new feed import regulations

The EU Commission has adopted a new regulation for import controls on certain food and feed of non-animal origin, and the ruling will be effective at the end of January 2010.

The regulation will allow known or emerging risks in feed and food of non-animal origin to be countered more effectively.

The new rule requires member states to step up controls on certain imports of feed and food of non-animal origin, comply with needed logistics and manpower, and designate points of entry.

The enhanced control mechanism will perform a 100 percent check on documents accompanying the consignments, as well as physical checks, including laboratory analysis at a frequency related to the risk identified.

The regulation also lays down the list of products that are subject to these enhanced controls. The list will be reviewed regularly to ensure it corresponds to the most recent information available.

In this context, the regulation also requires member states to provide the Commission with detailed information on controls carried out and on unfavourable results from laboratory tests.