EU rules on animal by-products (ABPs)

ABPs can spread animal diseases (e.g. BSE) or chemical contaminants (e.g. dioxins), and can be dangerous to animal and human health if not properly disposed of. EU rules regulate their movement, processing and disposal.

ABPs are categorised according to their risk using the basic principles in Regulation EC 1069/2009

Measures that apply to them depend on the ABP's category which is based on their handling:

• Production
• Collection
• Transport
• Storage
• Use
• Disposal

EU national authorities make official controls on ABP imports from non-EU countries.

Legislation

New:

• Clear requirements based on ABPs' technical standards;
• Enforcement measures for the new risk-proportionate approach;
• End point in the manufacturing chain for processed and packaged pet food, biodiesel, tanned hides and skins and other products;
• Less red tape for producers of medicines and diagnostics from ABPs;
• Smoother official controls of laboratories of processing and biogas plants handling ABPs;
• Better traceability from food production;
• Risk-proportionate solutions for transport, processing, use and imports.

Regulation EU 794/2011 amends Reg. EU 142/2011;

Regulations EC 1069/2009 and EU 142/2011 replaced the old one (1774/2002) consolidating several related acts into one;

Regulation EU 142/2011 – consolidated version

"Consolidated" means that the basic EU legislation, its amendments and corrections figure in a single document. As an informal document, the Commission assumes no responsibility for its content.

What are animal by-products?

Animal by-products (ABPs) are materials of animal origin that people do not consume. ABPs include among others:

• Animal feed - e.g. based on fishmeal and processed animal protein;
• Organic fertilisers and soil improvers - e.g. manure, guano, processed OF/SI on the base of processed animal protein;
• Technical products - e.g. pet food, hides and skins for leather, wool, blood for producing diagnostic tools.

Over 20 million tons emerge annually from EU from slaughterhouses, plants producing food for human consumption, dairies and as fallen stock from farms.