(1)

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are toxins found naturally in a wide variety of plant species. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are probably the most widely distributed natural toxins and affect wildlife, livestock and humans. It has been estimated that approximately 6 000 plant species may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, although direct poisonings in humans and animals seem to be associated with only a few species.

(2)

Livestock and domestic animals may be exposed to pyrrolizidine alkaloids by the consumption of forage and roughage contaminated with plants (or their parts) of Senecioneae and Boraginaceae spp. In particular, lucerne forage is occasionally contaminated with substantial amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Therefore, horses and rabbits may be more exposed than other livestock due to their high consumption of lucerne. Herbs, herbal mixtures and plant extracts used as feed that consist of, are produced from, or are contaminated with, plants (or their parts) containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids are another possible source of exposure of livestock to pyrrolizidine alkaloids, although these feeds generally represent only a small proportion of the diet.

(3)

The European Food Safety Authority (the Authority) Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) adopted a risk assessment in 2011 on pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food and feed (1). It concluded that even though all animal species are susceptible to both acute and chronic pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication, there is generally a low risk of pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning in livestock and companion animals in the Union as most pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisonings reported recently are due to accidental exposure.

(4)

Only limited occurrence data on the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed are available in the Authority’s database. Therefore, the Authority recommended that more occurrence data on pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed should be collected in relevant feed commodities.

(5)

The Authority also recognised that there was a need for a method of analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed that can be routinely applied in well-equipped laboratories to ensure reliable and comparable analytical results.

(6)

In the meantime, the European Union Reference Laboratory has published in 2020 an analytical method for the analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed. In addition, in 2023 the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has developed a standard for the analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed (EN 17683).

(7)

It should therefore be recommended to monitor the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed across the Union before considering possible risk management measures needed to ensure a high level of animal and human health protection,