EU: New rules for animal feed labelling

This proposal simplifies the existing procedures for labelling and marketing animal feed and pet food, while making the overall system more efficient while maintaining the same level of protection of animal health, animal welfare and public health, the commission stated.

The new rules will also be aimed at improving the competitiveness of the EU livestock sector, which contributes to almost half of all EU agricultural output. Together the feed and pet food industry represents a turnover of approx. €50 bln in the EU.

The proposal aims to greatly reduce “red tape” for feed operators by removing unnecessary administrative burdens and technical requirements, which are no longer necessary since an integrated food safety approach has now been implemented from farm to fork.

Pre-market authorisations are to be made proportionate to risks and no longer based on predefined feed groups, such as products acting as proteins sources.

The draft Regulation sets out certain general provisions for the labelling of all feed, such as the need to indicate the type of feed, the name and address of the operator, the list of feed additives and the net weight.

Additionally, specific mandatory labelling requirements are laid down for feed materials, compound feed, including pet food, and “dietetic” feed.