Analytical methods for official controls on insects in ruminant feed
Published by AGRINFO on
EU adopts a method of detecting insects in ruminant feed to allow competent authorities to identify their illicit use
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/893 of 7 June 2022 amending Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 152/2009 as regards the methods of analysis for the detection of constituents of terrestrial invertebrates for the official control of feed
Update
On 8 June 2022, the EU published a method of detecting insects in ruminant feed to allow competent authorities performing official controls to identify their illicit use.
Impacted Products
feed, processed animal protein (PAP)
What is changing?
The EU has adopted a method of detecting the presence of insects in ruminant feed to check for compliance with the prohibition.
Why?
Insects can be used to produce feed for pigs, poultry and fish, but their use is prohibited in feed for ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats).
Timeline
Date of publication: 8 June 2022
Date of application: 28 June 2022
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
For operators, the possibility of using insects in feed for fish, poultry and pigs may open up new opportunities on the EU market.
For competent authorities, the development of a method of detection will help to ensure no insects have been used in ruminant feed.
Recommended Actions
As it is strictly forbidden to use insects in feed for ruminants, operators must ensure that lines of production dedicated to feed specifically for ruminants are completely separated on site or in time (with strict disinfection between feed types).
Background
Based on increasing knowledge about BSE (mad cow disease), it was decided to reintroduce the possibility of feeding some farm animals (pigs and poultry) with meat and bone meal (processed animal protein, PAP), including meal produced from insects.
However, for ethical reasons, the ban on all feed/PAP of animal origin is maintained for ruminants. For other animals, measures are taken to avoid cannibalism (e.g. pigs cannot be fed with pork protein; poultry cannot be fed with poultry protein).
This development has become possible because methods are now available to determine the origin of proteins used in feed. It is accompanied by strict conditions of implementation.
Sources
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/893