October 13, 2008
EU to introduce flexibility of feed labelling rules
The European Parliament has adopted a report allowing feed labelling rules to be handled in a more flexible way in the event of contamination, Agra Europe Weekly reports.
Food scares in the 90s caused by contaminated feed led the Parliament to call for a list of authorised feed materials. In the text that has now been adopted by the Parliament, more responsibility is given to the feed business; in place of an EU-approved list, the feed industry would be responsible for producing a catalogue of feed materials.
Manufacturers would be obliged to declare the use of new materials, and the Commission should have a right to object to the catalogue. A similar set of rules would apply to a code of conduct drawn up by the industry.
The report, by German Green MEP Friedrich Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf, was adopted by the Parliament's agriculture committee with 31 votes in favour, none against, and two abstentions.