A special report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), puts a grim light on meat and bone meal (MBM) use in animal feed in the European Union (EU).
“MBM is not expected to make a comeback as a primary ingredient in EU animal feed, even if the [temporary] ban on its use is lifted,” stated the report. “The European rendering industries are searching for alternative outlets for their products, but member states, the European Commission, and various industries are facing permanent adjustments in the way they deal with slaughter by-products.”
Feed industries in some member states are not opposed to using MBM again, once they are assured that adequate legislation is in place to ensure that MBM production is safe. However, the report went on to say that there would be little to no demand for the product. It gave as an example the German feed industry, which is against lifting the MBM ban as its clientele, including the powerful farmers’ union, is conscious of its customers’ preferences, who have moved away from even perceived questionable health issues. Although not scientifically proven, MBM is believed to be the most likely cause of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. No cases of BSE have ever been discovered in the United States.
According to the report, FAS feels that the current EU situation may have positive effects on U.S. exports of agricultural products, but they are not likely to be for MBM or related rendered products. A significant indication of the turn that the EU’s animal feed industries are relying on new ingredients, soybean meal imports have risen sharply in many member states, most notably France where imports have nearly doubled.
“The EU’s continuing difficulties with BSE and the subsequent ban on MBM are, in fact, having negative implications for U.S. exports of MBM,” the report stated. “Third countries have begun emulating the EU’s stance with respect to banning the use of all forms of MBM (including porcine and poultry) in all animal feeds, banning the import of all MBM from all sources, regardless of the BSE-status of the country of origin, and taking similar, often unwarranted, measures. Since there has been no BSE diagnosed in the United States, application of these restrictive measures to imports of MBM from the United States is not scientifically justifiable, but that has not stopped their application.”
The complete report is available at www.fas.usda.gov/dlp/IATRs/2002/eumbm0205.html.
April 2002 Render