WRITTEN QUESTION E-2859/02 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Processing of fats from animal waste.
Date: 2002-10-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agricultural waste, animal feedingstuffs, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, food processing, foodstuffs legislation, industrial fat, veterinary legislation

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10.7.2003

has been developed on a thematic basis, which relate to the European Employment Strategy and the need
to improve: employability; entrepreneurship; adaptability and gender equality. It also has a theme which
seeks to test innovative ways to improve the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers.

Although the Initiative is co-ordinated across the Union, it is managed by each Member State, and they are
responsible for the selection of the development partnerships. In Italy the Managing Authority responsible
for the implementation of EQUAL is the Ministry of Labour (Ministero del Lavoro e della Previdenza
Sociale), and they have approved funds for two Development Partnerships (DPs) under the theme which
addresses the needs of Asylum Seekers. The Municipality of Rome is involved in one of these DPs
(Integ.R.A. (cid:1) Integrazione Richiedenti Asilo). Further information about the DP itself, or the financing
should be addressed to the Italian Authorities who is responsible for the implementation of EQUAL in
Italy. Information about the each DP, objectives, working programme is also available at the EQUAL
website http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/equal/index_en.html.

(1) OJ L 252, 6.10.2000.

(2003/C 161 E/047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2859/02

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 October 2002)

Subject: Processing of fats from animal waste

In the Netherlands animal waste is currently processed into meat-and-bone meal, which is then burned in
large quantities. In addition to meat-and-bone meal, fats or tallow are also produced from animal waste.

1.

Are the fats produced from animal waste completely free of prions?

Is it still permitted for such fats to be processed into animal feed, in particular ‘milk’ given to young

2.
calves?

In France it is prohibited to use such fats in processing animal feed. Is the use of such fats in the
3.
processing of animal feed permitted in the Netherlands and in other EU countries? Because, if this is the
case, BSE transmission in cattle could persist.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC),

1.
in its opinion adopted at the SSC meeting of 28 and
29 June 2001 and updated at the meeting of 6 and 7 September 2001, concludes that there is no evidence
that tallow derived from ruminant animals would constitute a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
(TSE) risk. The SSC considers that possible TSE risks associated with tallow will result from protein
impurities.

In the above opinion, the SSC recommends therefore additional conditions for using ruminant fat in
ruminant feed. Based on that opinion, a Commission working document concerning tallow in milk
replacers and other ruminant feed was prepared and discussed with the Member States. However, as in the
meantime the SSC had started a quantitative risk assessment of the safety of ruminant fat, it was decided to
wait for that assessment before proceeding with the document.

The following provisions are at this moment in force to prevent the transmission of TSE by fat in the
feeding of farmed animals:

(cid:1) pressure cooking of high-risk materials derived from ruminants and purification (total

insoluble
impurities max 0,15 %) of all rendered fat derived from ruminants in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/534/EC (1);

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(cid:1) testing of all cattle intended for food above 24 (emergency slaughter) or 30 (healthy slaughtered)

months old in accordance with the TSE Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 (2);

(cid:1) exclusion of specified risk materials in accordance with the TSE Regulation (EC) No 999/2001;

(cid:1) prohibition to use certain animal by-products in animal feed: exclusion of by-products derived from
certain categories of animals such as animals which have died on the farm but were not slaughtered
for human consumption and animals which were killed on the farm for disease control measures in
accordance with Commission Decision 2001/25/EC (3).

2. and 3.
The use of ruminant fat in animal feed in accordance with the above provisions is authorised
in the Union, including milk replacers intended for calves. Some Member States such as Germany, France,
Austria and Portugal have imposed additional restrictions on the use of ruminant fat. The risk management
measures in place will be reviewed when the SSC quantitative risk assessment becomes available.

(1) 1999/534/EC: Council Decision of 19 July 1999 on measures applying to the processing of certain animal waste to
transmissible spongiform encaphalopathies and amending Commission Decision 97/735/EC,

protect against
OJ L 204, 4.8.1999.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the
prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, OJ L 147, 31.5.2001.
(3) 2001/25/EC: Commission Decision of 27 December 2000 prohibiting the use of certain animal by-products in

animal feed, OJ L 6, 11.1.2001.

(2003/C 161 E/048)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2865/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 October 2002)

Subject: Budget balance forecasting record

1. Will the Commission give the forecast (or forecasts) made by each Member State for their budget
balance (as a percentage of GDP) in the ensuing financial year for each year of the last ten years?

2. Will the Commission also show the subsequent outturn, and compute for each Member State an
average difference between forecast and outturn?

Will the Commission provide a short commentary on the lessons if any from this exercise?

(2003/C 161 E/049)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2866/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 October 2002)

Subject: Growth forecasting record

1. Will the Commission give the forecast (or forecasts) made by each Member State for their real
growth rate in the ensuing financial year for each year of the last ten years?

2. Will the Commission also show the subsequent outturn, and compute for each Member State an
average difference between forecast and outturn?

Will the Commission provide a short commentary on the lessons if any from this exercise?