(1)

At the request of the Commission the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adopted opinions on the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol on 2 June 2004 (1), zearalenone on 28 July 2004 (2), ochratoxin A on 22 September 2004 (3) and fumonisins on 22 June 2005 (4).

(2)

Those opinions conclude that all four mycotoxins exhibit toxic effects in several animal species. Deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and fumonisin B1 and B2 are only to a very limited extent transferred from feed into meat, milk and eggs and therefore food of animal origin only contributes marginally to the total human exposure to these toxins. Ochratoxin A can be transferred from feed into food of animal origin but exposure assessments indicate that food of animal origin makes only a small contribution to the total human dietary exposure to ochratoxin A.

(3)

Data on the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in products intended for animal feeding are at present very limited. There is also an urgent need for the development and validation of a sensitive method of analysis. However there are indications that the presence of T-2 and HT-2 in products intended for animal feeding could be a reason for concern. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a sensitive method of analysis, collect more occurrence data, and carry out further investigations and research into the factors involved in the presence of T-2 and HT-2 in cereal and cereal products, in particular in oats and oat products.

(4)

Taking into account the conclusions of the scientific opinions referred to in recital 1, and the lack of reliable data on T-2 and HT-2 toxins, together with the large year-to-year variation in occurrence of these mycotoxins, it is appropriate to collect more data on these mycotoxins in the different feed materials and feedingstuffs, in addition to the data already available from the coordinated control programmes for 2002 (5), 2004 (6) and 2005 (7).

(5)

To provide orientation to the Member States on the acceptability of cereals and cereal products and compound feed for animal feeding and to avoid disparities in the values accepted by the different Member States and the consequent risk of distortion of competition, it is appropriate to recommend guidance values.

(6)

Member States should only apply the guidance values for fumonisin B1 + B2 from 1 October 2007, so as to coincide with the rules laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 856/2005 of 6 June 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 as regards Fusarium toxins (8).

(7)

An assessment of the approach provided for by this Recommendation should be undertaken by 2009 in particular to assess its contribution towards protecting animal health. The monitoring data obtained as a result of this Recommendation will also enable a better understanding of the year–to-year variance and the presence of these mycotoxins in the wide range of by-products used for animal feed, which is of primary importance for taking, if necessary, further legislative measures.