February 4, 2021

 

Russia permits use of biological waste in animal feed

Russia has permitted the use of some biological waste in processing animal feed starting January 1.

 

The actual processing has yet to begin as some gaps in the legislation are still waiting for completion.

 

The Russian Gazette, the official publication of the Russian government, said barring the use of biological waste by feed companies was adopted in the 1990s and is now very outdated.

 

Depending on the bacteria contamination level and other factors, the new regulation sub-divides waste into hazardous and moderately dangerous categories. Biological waste is now allowed to be applied in the production of animal feed and feed additives as it is under the moderately dangerous category.

 

Moderately dangerous wastes are specifically dead animals, stillborn and aborted fetuses, animal organs and tissues, offal and unsuitable feed.

 

Maxim Sinelnikov, deputy chairman of the executive committee of the Russian National Meat Association, said: "It is not yet clear what could be considered a biological waste. For example, a bone separated from meat is not considered waste because it still could be used for gelatin production.

 

"However, the new regulation withdrew some requirements for biological waste storing and treatment. For example, biological waste can be stored in closed refrigerators and transported in plastic bags."

 

"The new rules should make storage of waste and transportation cheaper and more manageable. Besides, the new rules should contribute to preventing outbreaks of animal diseases," said Ekaterina Galaktionova, senior researcher of the Russian Higher School of Economy.

 

The Russian Gazette reported that, from an ecological point of view, the bigger impact is expected from another regulation, which would pave the way for food products with an expired ‘best-before' date to be used in the feed industry.

 

The bill, that allows the use of expired food products in animal feed production, has been registered in the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament, in the summer of 2020, and is still under consideration.

 

The bill also aims to improve Russia's ecological situation by preventing large volumes of organic waste to decompose in the open.

 

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