Feed Additives Vote in European Parliament
The European regulations controlling the use of additives in animal
feeds were established in 1970, and have since been revised and updated
many times to keep them up-to-date and ensure they continue to protect
animals and the consumers of any livestock produce. Now the legislation is
undergoing a complete overhaul, to produce clearer, more straightforward
rules. Both the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers have the
opportunity to comment on the draft legislation put forward by the
European Commission.
On 21 November in its vote on the draft feed additives Regulation, the
European Parliament supported existing rules for coccidiostats and voted
in favour of a transition period for the phase-out of the four remaining
"growth-promoting" antibiotics (monensin, salinomycin,
avilamycin and flavophospholipol).
Suggestions had been tabled to move the coccidiostats to the veterinary
medicinal legislation, but the Parliament voted in favour of the
Commission's proposal to keep these products within the scope of the feed
additives Regulation. The animal health industry firmly believes that this
is the right decision. These products are absolutely vital to control a
potentially fatal parasite that afflicts chickens and other poultry. The
current system for their use has been in place for many years and has
proven to be safe and effective. Keeping to the existing tried and tested
rules means that these products will continue to be used in a safe manner.
Although the Parliament still favours a cut-off date of 1 January 2009 for
the use of coccidiostats and histomonostats, there will be further
discussion over this when the new Regulation has been in force for a
while, and fresh recommendations are considered.
Another positive result for animal health and welfare was the support
of the Parliament for a phase-out period for the remaining so-called
"growth-promoting" antibiotics. One of the proposed amendments
to the Commission's proposal (from the Green Party) called for these to be
removed from the market as of 2004, around the same time as the Regulation
is likely to enter force, effectively meaning there would be no transition
period. The Parliament's support of a transition period until 2005 -
albeit a shorter one than 2006 proposed by the Commission - highlights the
need for a managed and orderly phase-out, protecting both animal health
and welfare as well as ensuring there is no risk to human health.
Experience has shown that hasty actions can have potentially negative
impacts on both.
The draft will now pass to the Council, as it is being handled under
the Co-Decision procedure, meaning that the views of the Council are
equally important. Member States have so far indicated that they support
the Commission's original proposal, which included a cut-off date of 2006
for the remaining "growth-promoters".
9 December 2002
Notes for Editors
For further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131,
or visit the NOAH website.
The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1
January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market
licensed animal health products. The association has 36 corporate members and 12 associate members.
In 2001 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £359 million UK animal health
market, with additional valuable exports.
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