Europe is to relax the restrictions on the use of animal protein in animal feed, potentially reducing the EU’s reliance on imported soya feeds.
A report by German MEP Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, now backed by both MEPs and the Commission, suggests permitting pig and poultry protein to be used in animal feed, while maintaining the ban on the use of cattle and sheep protein, which has been in place since the BSE crisis.
NFUS president, Nigel Miller said: “This decision has been in the pipeline for quite a while, but it is yet another useful step in a fairly precautious but science-based journey to unwinding transmissible spongiform encephalopathy regulations.
“Freeing up the use of this natural protein is of vital importance given that the EU is only 40% self sufficient in protein animal feed and commodity prices remain very high. The proteins that can be used as a result of this decision provide the main high quality feed source worldwide.”
Lib-Dem MEP George Lyon said: “The Commission has recognised the industry’s need for flexibility while putting adequate safeguards in place to ensure the food chain is disease free.
“Allowing animal protein from pigs and chickens back into the system will reduce Europe’s reliance on imported soya which will be of real benefit to Scottish farmers. These measures will also deliver significant savings for the meat industry and are long overdue.”
Source: The Scottish Farmer
