December 2011 update on the Animal Nutrition Section of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health
Thursday 5 January 2012
This update provides information about the Animal Nutrition Section of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) meeting held on 15 and 16 December 2011.
Feed additives
Four proposals were presented concerning feed additive authorisations – all received votes in favour. Further information is provided in the table below.
Feed additive authorisations from SCoFCAH – December 2011
| Additive | Proposal | Target species | Authorisation type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-phytase (from Pichia pastoris DSM 23036) | SANCO/12619/2011 | Certain poultry, piglets, pigs for fattening and sows | Digestibility enhancer |
| Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 8866 | SANCO/12620/2011 | All species | Silage agent |
| Bacillus subtilis CBS 117162 | SANCO/12343/2011 | Weaned piglets, pigs for fattening | Gut flora stabiliser |
| Lasalocid A, Robenidine, Maduramicin, Salinomycin | SANCO/12755/2011 | Certain poultry | Coccidiostats |
For the first time, SCoFCAH voted to deny authorisation for a feed additive. The product in question, Lactobacillus pentosus (DSM 14025), had been added to the Register of EU-permitted feed additives as a silage agent under the transitional arrangements set out in Article 10 or Regulation 1831/2003. SCoFCAH gave a unanimous vote in favour of a Commission proposal to deny authorisation due to the presence of antibiotic resistance genes that could transfer to other bacteria in the environment.
Undesirable substances
SCoFCAH agreed in principle to make changes to the controls for certain undesirable substances in feed. These proposed changes do not conflict with advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Further details of these are indicated below.
Proposed changes to controls (maximum limits) on undesirable substances in feed
| Product | Contaminant | Change to (mg/kg) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium and magnesium carbonate | As | 15 | |
| Calcium and magnesium carbonate | F | 350 | |
| Calcium and magnesium carbonate | Pb | 20 | |
| Calcium and magnesium carbonate | Hg | 0.3 | |
| Natrolith-phonolith | Hg | 30 | |
| Complete fish feed for salmonids | Endosulfan | 0.05 | |
| Feed materials | Seeds from Ambrosia spp | No change | Footnote to be added to allow the use of non-compliant feed where it is thoroughly milled to destroy any viable Ambrosia spp. seeds. |
Animal feed sampling
A European Commission working group meeting was held on 21 December to consider revised protocols for official sampling of animal feed. No information concerning the outcome of this meeting is available at this time.
Codex Task Force on Animal Feeding
The Swiss Secretariat has forwarded two redrafted documents concerning (a) a priority list of hazards in the feed chain and (b) guidance on risk assessment methodologies. The Commission announced that it will be looking to finalise comments from the European Union at the January 2012 meeting of SCoFCAH ahead of the Codex Task Force meeting to be held in Berne starting 20 February 2012.
More about SCoFCAH and its animal nutrition section
SCoFCAH is a European Commission regulatory committee that was established by Regulation 178/2002, a regulation that includes the laying down of principles and requirements of feed law. Meetings of the committee are chaired by European Commission officials, and attended by Member States' representatives. The committee can give an opinion, that is to say a vote, on certain proposed measures, prior to their possible adoption by the Commission.
SCoFCAH has eight sections. The Animal Nutrition Section deals with animal feed and meets about 10 times each year. Information about the outcome of each meeting will be published on this website.
For further information about the SCoFCAH Animal Nutrition Section, email Dr Ray Smith at: ray.smith@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.