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

1. For further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.

2. 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.