MAFF urged to drop additive plan

10 March 2000



MAFF urged to drop additive plan

by FWi staff

THE Ministry of Agriculture has been urged to drop a controversial clause in forthcoming regulations banning feed additives not incorporated into animal feed.

The draft feeding stuffs regulations, which have just been the subject of consultation, propose the ban to bring the UK in line with existing EU legislation.

But MAFFs advisory committee on animal feedstuffs (ADAF) said prohibiting the non-feed use of animal problems would create problems.

There would be operational difficulties in animal feeding and have adverse implications for animal welfare, concluded the committee.

Michael Putnam, a nutrition consultant to the feed supplement industry, said that the proposals were unnecessary and could cost the sector 10 million.

The plans, would effectively virtually outlaw all methods of supplying additives to extensively grazed ruminants, he said.

Mr Putnam claimed that the plans are only being considered because the government is under pressure from the European Commission.

Potentially affected products include mineral blocks, slow release boluses, minerals in drinking water, liquid supplements and top dressed supplements.