01 June 2007, 17:35 PM
  • Tests to allow the remains of animals to be reintroduced into farm feed for the first time since the BSE crisis are being carried out by European scientists, reported The Times.

The EU is spending €1.7 million (£1.15 million) on research which would allow the remains of pigs and chickens to be used as fodder.

The practice was banned by the EU in 2000 after the spread of BSE, commonly known as “mad cow” disease. BSE was blamed for infecting 100s of people with the incurable brain disease vCJD. The move will shock consumers and scientists, many of whom were angered by the use of animal remains in feed.

The Government told The Times that it was aware of the proposals to “relax” the ban, which comes following pressure from farmers and food manufacturers concerned at the high cost of disposing of carcasses.

A minute from the committee says that pig meal should be allowed for chickens and that chicken remains should be fed to pigs. “The EESC suggests that the European Commission pursue and step up as swiftly as possible the studies currently under way which clearly show that the use of meat meal from nonruminants can be used in pig and poultry feed without posing any danger to human health,” it reads.

Scientists, including two institutes in Britain, have been asked to devise tests that can identify different kinds of meat meal in feed. Hugh Pennington, a bacteriologist at Aberdeen University and an expert in BSE and vCJD, said that the proposals raised concerns for consumers and the Government. “There needs to be a rigorous scentific assessment of any plans to reintroduce meat meal to pigs and chickens, which would have to be entirely independent of the EU.

“We will have to find out about the risks of influenza and salmonella being passed from pig to chicken, or vice versa. The biggest problem will be to win over public opinion,” he said.

Source: The Times