Resolution on the Bovine spongiform encephalopathy BSE and safety of animal feed

The European Parliament adopted a joint resolution recalling that a ban on feeding ruminants with meat-and-bone meal has been in force throughout the EU since 1994. In its resolution Parliament calls for a ban on animal feed production and farm feeding practices that involve recycling animal remains to cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and fish as long as Member States cannot guarantee the implementation of existing EU laws (heating of meat-and-bone meal at 133°C, 3 bar for 20 minutes and guaranteed separation of specific risk materials). Blood and blood products must also be banned in animal feed. The Commission should inform Parliament as to which Member States have implemented and properly enforced EU legislation banning meat-and-bone meal in feed for ruminants and stipulating the heat/pressure method to be used in its production. Furthermore, the Parliament also reiterates its call for the rapid introduction of compulsory testing for BSE in all cattle, sheep and goats destined for slaughter, starting with all those above 18 months of age, in all Member States. It says tests for TSEs should be developed rapidly and demands that the necessary funding be provided. As there is now a problem in disposing meat-and-bone meal, Parliament calls for a Community plan for transport, storage and incineration. It also suggests that such meal could be used as fuel in electricity plants or in cement productions. Finally, Parliament calls for an emergency system which would enable the Commission to take immediate action when Community standards are not properly monitored in the Member States. The Commission is called upon to prepare a proposal obliging Member States to report annually to the Commission and Parliament in the outcome of enforcement of all relevant EU legislation concerning the beef sector and animal nutrition and inspection. �