PURPOSE : Proposal for a Directive on undesirable substances and products in animal nutrition.
CONTENT : A previous Council Directive 1999/29/EC of 22 April 1999 lays down maximum permitted levels for undesirable substances in feedingstuffs. Feed materials that do not comply with the limits may not be put into circulation. Such materials may, however, be used in compound feedingstuffs if the maximum level laid down for the compound feedingstuff is complied with. Furthermore, there was derogation from the maximum limits in the case of fodder used without further processing on the farm that produced it, where this is necessary for particular local reasons.
It is proposed that:
- There have been a number of changes to the Directive and it should be recast in the interests of clarity.
- The scope of the Directive has been extended to include additives, since these too can be contaminated with undesirable substances.
- In the wake of the dioxin crisis, it is no longer appropriate either to permit feed materials which do not comply with the maximum levels to be used in animal nutrition, even on strict conditions, or to keep derogations for particular local conditions, and both derogations are accordingly deleted.
- An action threshold of undesirable products is fixed. This threshold is considerably lower than the maximum levels laid down. Where this threshold is exceeded, the authorities must launch an investigation to identify the source of contamination and eliminate it. This will eventually lead to a gradual reduction of undesirable products in the feed and food chain.
- Member States may reduce the fixed maximum levels if human or animal health is endangered. They may also prohibit other products or fix maximum levels for other substances. There are provisions for preventing abuse of this permission.
- The regulatory procedure has been amended in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.�