Ensuring safe animal feed

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2002/32/EC on undesirable substances in animal feed

SUMMARY

WHAT DOES THIS DIRECTIVE DO?

• It sets maximum levels for undesirable substances and products* (contaminants) in animal feed (including imports) available on the EU market.
• It limits the risks of contamination of animal feed by substances and products that are toxic or adversely affect production.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The directive applies to all products intended for animal feed, including raw materials for feed, additives and complementary feedingstuffs.

It lays down a list of undesirable substances and specifies the limit values for which the presence of these substances in animal feeds is forbidden (Annex I).

The list includes substances such as certain heavy metals (like lead and cadmium), dioxin and some pesticides. It is regularly updated in the light of scientific and technical knowledge.

Investigations

When these maximum levels are exceeded, EU countries – in cooperation with the businesses concerned – must investigate to identify the sources of the substances. They must inform the European Commission of their findings and of any measures taken to eliminate or reduce the level of the substances.

Mixtures

To prevent fraud, the directive bans the mixing (for dilution purposes) of products which exceed the maximum levels.

Provisional measures

Where an EU country can demonstrate that a maximum level fixed for a substance may present a risk to animal or human health or to the environment, it may provisionally introduce more stringent limits until either the Council or the Commission takes a decision. The country in question must ensure that its decision is made public.

WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It entered into force on 30 May 2002. EU countries had to incorporate it in national law by 1 May 2003.

BACKGROUND

Animal nutrition — undesirable substances

KEY TERM

* Undesirable substance: any substance or product, with the exception of pathogenic agents, present in and/or on the product intended for animal feed, which presents a potential danger to animal or human health, to the environment or could adversely affect livestock production.

ACT

Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed — Council statement (OJ L 140, 30.5.2002, pp. 10-22)

Successive amendments to Directive 2002/32/EC and its Annexes have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED ACTS

Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules (OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, pp. 1-141). Text republished in corrigendum (OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, pp. 1–52)

See consolidated version.

last update 04.01.2016