GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFE USE OF ANIMAL
FEEDINGSTUFFS
GENERAL BACKGROUND
It has become clear from a number of food safety crises in the recent past that animal
feed has to be considered as one of the potential sources of risk to human health.
Particularly well known is the outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
linked to the feeding of Mammalian Meat and Bone meal to ruminant animals and it’s
possible link with CJD in humans. More recently, there was also the dioxin
contamination of foreign citrus pulp in 1998, the dioxin contamination of feed in
2001, and the hormone (MPA) contamination of animal feed which affected farms
throughout Europe. All of these events demonstrate the need for critical attention to
the safety of animal feed. Outside of these specific problems, potential hazards
associated with animal feedingstuffs also include mycotoxins (as a consequence of
fungal growth on feed materials); infectious agents such as Salmonella; excessive
residue levels of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides and industrial/environmental or
other extraneous contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) and heavy
metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium. The quality of feed and its potential
impact on animal and human health requires an adherence to good practice at all
levels from the growing and harvesting of feed materials in the farmer’s field, through
processing and handling to the final usage of the feedingstuff on farm.
RAW MATERIAL SOURCES
Raw materials should be obtained from reputable sources together with suitable
assurances that they meet acceptable standards for levels of pathogens, mycotoxins,
herbicides, pesticides and other contaminants that may give rise to concerns for
human or animal health. Monitoring of raw materials should include inspection of
each delivery and retention of samples.

Native grains
Grain should be clean, dry and, in as far as practicable, free from pests. Excessive
moisture content can encourage the growth of bacteria, fungi and moulds, thereby
resulting in the presence of potentially harmful disease organisms and mycotoxins.

Imported feed materials
Imported feed materials (principally protein sources) should be fully traceable with
full labelling particulars, this should include particulars such as a unique identifier
which traces the material back to source, and nutrient analysis (as defined in
legislation).

Minerals, supplements and other additives
Minerals, supplements and other additives must be obtained from manufacturers and
distributors Approved or Registered under the European Communities (Approval and
Registration of Establishments and Intermediaries operating in the Animal Feed
Sector) Regulations, 1999. Obtained from these sources, the user is assured that the
manufacturer / distributor complies with the minimum standards applicable to their
operation.

By-products
The marketing of by-products for use as animal feeds is regulated under the European
Communities (Putting into Circulation of Feed Materials) Regulations 1999. The
Regulations require that products marketed as animal feed must not represent a danger
to animal or human health. A list of materials suitable for use as animal feeds is
contained in Commission Directive 98/67/EC1. However, the list is not exhaustive
and in the case of by-products which are not listed in this Directive, the onus to ensure
safety of such products falls on the livestock producer. Before deciding to use such
by-products they should be clearly identified; a description of the process of
manufacture should be available; HACCP control for the production of such products
1
OJ No. L 261, 24. 9. 1998, p. 10
for use as animal feedingstuff’s should be available and the material must be fully
batch traceable.
As a general principal by-products from the Pharmaceutical and Chemical industries
should not be used for animal feed.
ON-FARM MIXING
Livestock farmers who mix raw materials with the addition of a mineral mixture must
be Registered under the European Communities (Approval and Registration of
Establishments and Intermediaries operating in the Animal Feed Sector) Regulations,
1999. Registration is granted on foot of a written declaration by the livestock
producer that he/she fulfils the minimum conditions laid down for that activity. If
additives such as monensin sodium are used (medicinal feed additives) the livestock
farmer must be Approved under the same legislation. The minimum conditions for
Registration cover factors such as, facilities and equipment, production procedures,
quality control, storage of raw materials and finished products, records of raw
materials purchased and compound feedingstuffs produced. Uniform mixing of all
ingredients (including the mineral mixture) to form a balanced diet is an essential
element of good feeding practice
PURCHASING FINISHED PRODUCT
Farmers should ensure that all purchased compound feed is manufactured by an
approved or registered establishment. This helps to ensure that the mill has, among
other requirements, full traceability of product, is actively testing for various quality
parameters, and has adequate facilities to manufacture feed for sale.
All compound feed for sale must carry a label or accompanying document which
gives information such as the Approval or Registration number of the manufacturer;
clear details of target species; maximum feeding rate (if applicable); nutrient analysis
and a list of ingredients in descending order by weight.
STORAGE ON-FARM
Care must be taken to ensure feed is stored in a hygienic manner on farm. The
storage facilities should be maintained at the highest standard of cleanliness and free
from excess moisture so that spoilage is controlled and the conditions under which
contaminants such as mycotoxins and Salmonella flourish are minimised.
TRACEABILITY
One of the key factors when dealing with any potential risk is full traceability. In the
event of a serious feed crisis such as those outlined above, all feed is deemed to be
potentially contaminated unless it can be proven otherwise.
Manufacturers and retailers who place a feedingstuff on the market are obliged to
keep records to ensure full traceability of all sales. The information includes a list of
all of the ingredients, the source of these ingredients, the date of manufacture of the
feedingstuff and the purchaser of the feedingstuff.
At farm level, livestock producers who mix their own feed should in so far as possible
segregate different batches of feed materials. Details of all deliveries of feed
materials should be kept in an orderly fashion and each delivery should be sampled
and the sample retained for six months for traceability purposes.