August 24, 2021

European Commission to permit use of certain animal proteins to feed non-ruminants

The European Commission has adopted on August 17 the decision to amend the European Union's feed ban regulation, allowing the use of certain animal proteins to feed farmed non-ruminant animals such as pigs and poultry.

The decision, based on the scientific opinion by the European Food and Safety Authority, follows the approval from both the European Parliament and Council as well as the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed in April 2021.

The commission's proposal come in the wake of advances in scientific knowledge, which showed that certain specific feed ban measures implemented since 2001 were no longer justified.

The announcement will contribute to the further improvement and enhancement of the animal feed chain, promoting more sustainable agriculture under the Farm-to-Fork strategy.

Strict conditions are built into the regulation to prevent cross-contamination, ensure compliance with the prohibition of intra-species recycling (i.e. cannibalism) and facilitate official control of feed.

The new measures allow broader use of high quality protein derived from pigs, poultry and insects in feed that is locally sourced and produced in the EU and that will meet nutritional needs of some specific categories of pigs and poultry.

In addition, the relaxation of the use of processed animal protein derived from pigs and poultry will contribute to sustainable and competitive European farming.

- European Commission