Considerations on COM(2000)820 - Protection measures with regard to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the feeding of animal protein

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dossier COM(2000)820 - Protection measures with regard to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and the feeding of animal protein.
document COM(2000)820 EN
date December  4, 2000
 
(1) Community rules for control of certain processed animal protein into ruminant feed entered into force in July 1994.

(2) Cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) have been recorded in animals born in 1995 and later years in certain Member States.

(3) Based on scientific opinion, the Commission adopted a series of measures for the animal feed, including high processing standards regarded as being the most effective for the inactivation of the agents of scrapie and BSE for the production of mammalian processed animal proteins, the exclusion of specified risk material from the feed chain and active surveillance measures to prevent cases of BSE from entering into the feed chain. The Scientific Steering Committee adopted an opinion on 27 and 28 November 2000. It recommended that, where the risk of cross-contamination of cattle feed with feed intended for other animals and which contains animal proteins possibly contaminated by the BSE agent cannot be excluded, a temporary ban of animal proteins in animal feed should be considered.

(4) Certain Member States have reported deficiencies in the implementation of Community legislation on animal feed and have, as a consequence, adopted safeguard measures.

(5) Community inspections have identified systematic failures in the implementation of Community rules in several Member States.

(6) In the light of the above, as a precautionary measure, it is appropriate to prohibit on a temporary basis the use of animal protein in animal feed, pending a total re-evaluation of the implementation of Community legislation in Member States. As this prohibition could have environmental implications if not controlled properly, it is necessary to ensure that animal waste is collected, transported, processed, stored and disposed of in a safe manner.

(7) A large scale Community testing programme will start on 1 January 2001. This programme will provide concrete data on the prevalence of BSE in Member States. This data will provide factual information of the effectiveness of past Community legislation on animal feed and will identify Member States where BSE recycling via processed animal protein remains a possibility. This information should be used in the review of the measure laid down by this Decision.

(8) The Standing Veterinary Committee has not given a favourable opinion.