January 29, 2013
EU to allow use of processed animal proteins in aquaculture
By June 1, 2013, the European Commission will allow farmed fish to be fed with processed animal protein (PAP) of non-ruminants but must meet a series of requirements for its use in each Member State of the EU.
One of these conditions is to follow the principle of no cannibalism, that is to say, it must not contain remains of bodies or parts of farmed fish of the same species.
Regulation No. 56/2013 amends various provisions for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).
The new rule specifies that products intended for feeding of non-ruminant farm animals will be transported in vehicles and containers that are not used to transport feed for ruminants.
These products are bulk processed animal proteins, including fishmeal, from non-ruminants; bulk dicalcium and tricalcium phosphate of animal origin; and blood products in bulk from non-ruminants, among others.
In addition, compound feed intended for feeding non- ruminant farm animals should contain the following raw materials: fishmeal; dicalcium and tricalcium phosphate of animal origin; and blood products from non-ruminant animals.
The EC ruled that fishmeal should be developed in processing plants dedicated exclusively to the production of products derived from aquatic animals, except sea mammals. In addition, the commercial document or, where appropriate, the health certificate accompanying the fishmeal and feed, and any packaging containing these products must be clearly marked with the text ''It contains fishmeal. Not suitable for feeding ruminants'', the regulation indicates.
Furthermore, official controls by the competent authority to verify compliance with the standards set "include inspections and sampling for analysis of processed animal protein and feeds in accordance with the methods of analysis for the determination of animal origin components for feed control," the new EU provision adds.
The competent authority will periodically check the competence of laboratories performing analyses for these official controls. If any performance is found to be not satisfactory, the laboratory will have to train again its staff, as minimal corrective measure, before performing other analysis.