2004/99/EC: Commission Decision of 29 January 2004 on a Community financial contribution for the evaluation of methods to detect processed animal proteins in feedingstuffs (notified under document number C(2004) 131)
Date: 2004-01-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU financing, animal nutrition, animal protein, food inspection, processed foodstuff

3.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 29/17

COMMISSION DECISION

of 29 January 2004

on a Community financial contribution for the evaluation of methods to detect processed animal
proteins in feedingstuffs

(notified under document number C(2004) 131)

(2004/99/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(5)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June
1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (1) and in particular
Article 19 and Article 20 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

In accordance with Decision 90/424/EEC the Com-
munity is to undertake the scientific measures necessary
for the development of Community veterinary legisla-
tion.

Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parlia-
ment and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down
rules for the prevention, control and eradication of
certain
spongiform encephalopathies
(TSEs) (2) prohibits the feeding of animal protein to
farmed animals, with the exception of certain animal
proteins.

transmissible

The prohibition to use ruminant proteins in the feeding
of ruminants is a key element to prevent the transmis-
sion of TSEs to ruminants. Therefore, the proper imple-
mentation of
strictly
controlled by the analysis of feedingstuffs.

such prohibition should be

Proteins derived from non-ruminants have not been
implicated in TSE cases, and there is no scientific
evidence pointing at the involvement of non-ruminant
protein in TSE transmission.
It has however proved
necessary to ban the use of non-ruminant in feed for
In particular, analytical methods to
control reasons.
from non-ruminant proteins in
differentiate ruminant
feed are not available.

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. Decision as last amended by Council

Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p.1).

Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 of the European Parlia-
ment and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying
down health rules concerning animal by-products not
intended for human consumption (3) prohibits
the
feeding to an animal of a processed animal protein
derived from the bodies or parts of bodies of animals of
the same species.

The use of non-ruminant proteins in feedingstuffs under
the conditions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1774/
2002 can only be reconsidered if validated methods to
differentiate these proteins
from ruminant proteins
become available.

An intercomparison study for
the determination of
processed animal proteins in feedingstuffs was carried
out in 2003 by the Institute for Reference Materials and
Measurements of the Joint Research Centre (IRMM-JRC).
The study demonstrated that the variation in the applica-
tion of the microscopic tests, and possibly the limited
expertise of some analysts, resulted in significant differ-
ences in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the
only official method currently available. In addition, the
study indicated good perspectives for the validation of
alternative methods.

Based on this study and in order to harmonise and
improve the determination of processed animal proteins,
a proposal
and
improving the microscopic method. This proposal also
foresees
species-specific
methods once they are validated.

currently discussed specifying

the approval of alternative

is

Against this background, it is necessary to monitor the
efficacy of laboratories carrying out microscopic tests, in
particular in acceding countries, and to screen alternative
methods when they become available.

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

The measures provided for in this Decision are necessary
for the development of Community veterinary legislation
and should, therefore, qualify for a financial contribution
from the Community.

(2) OJ L 147, 31.5.2001, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

(3) OJ L 273, 10.10.2002, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation

lation (EC) No 1915/2003 (OJ L 283, 31.10.2003, p. 29).

(EC) No 808/2003 (OJ L 117, 13.5.2003, p. 10).

L 29/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

3.2.2004

(11)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee
on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

Article 2

For the measures provided for in Article 1 the financial contri-
bution by the Community shall not exceed EUR 60 000.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Commission shall ensure that for a period of 12 months at
least the following tasks regarding the evaluation of methods to
detect processed animal proteins in feedingstuffs are carried
out:

(a) a proficiency test on the detection of animal constituents in

feedingstuffs;

(b) pre-validation studies on relevant analytical methods for
detecting animal constituents in feedingstuffs, depending on
the progress of the development of such methods;

This Decision shall apply from 1 January 2004.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 4

Done at Brussels, 29 January 2004.

For the Commission

David BYRNE

Member of the Commission