The EU legislation puts the basic responsibility to properly classify a feed product into one or another category on each operator. This choice and the resulting legal obligations are then controlled by the local competent authority in charge of official control at the national level. It is pivotal for each operator to make the right choice in order to avoid any market disruption. With the objective to help the industry and the control authorities to manage product classification in a fair and predictable way, the EC has adopted guidelines for the distinction between different types of feed (e.g. feed additives vs. feed materials), which should create the necessary transparency in order to manage product classification in a fair and predictable way.
On Top that, has developed a user-friendly Classification Tool in order to implement these guidelines. Based on very simple questions, this tool allows the allocation to the proper regulatory classification status. Such a tool is proved helpful for operators to ensure compliance of their products with regulatory frameworks. Undoubtedly it is also used by the authorities to assure a consistent regulatory management of such products on the market.
Feed additives
Feed acidifiers are supplements which are added to improve the digestibility of the feed. They are used for various purposes such as, to improve gut health, maintain level of microflora in the intestine and increase the growth rate of the animals. Thus, feed acidifiers help to keep livestock healthy, which makes livestock more productive. Some important feed acidifiers are propionic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, and formic acid.
Feed additives are substances, micro organisms or preparations which are intentionally added to feed or water in order to perform one or more of the functions , on additives for use in animal nutrition.
All feed additives placed on the market in the European Union must be approved under the auspices of theRegulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
The principal aim of this regulation is to ensure that all additives approved for use in the EU are safe not only for the animals which are the intended target, but also for those involved in its handling and the ultimate human consumer of the products from animals which have been offered the additive. As a result each additive has to undergo a series of tests to demonstrate it is safe to use and handle, and furthermore data is required to demonstrate the efficacy of the additive in its intended use BEFORE it can be marketed in the EU. Such data is presented in the form of a comprehensive dossier which is forwarded to and reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which needs to approve the content of the dossier prior to permission to sell being granted after a vote at the EC level. If the additive is approved, the conditions of its use are put into the feed additive register which is a public document. In this way the use of an additive in the EU is seen to be transparently reviewed prior to permission to market being granted.
Functional feed ingredients
Functional feed ingredients are feed materials as defined in Regulation (EC) No 767/2009, which, are used in feed or water for drinking in order to perform one of the following functions: micro-nutrition, technological, sensory, zootechnical.
Functional feed ingredients may be freely marketed (without pre-market approval), provided they are safe sound, genuine and unaltered and do not have a direct adverse effect on the environment or animal welfare. Operators placing on the market functional feed ingredients are the only responsible to meet this requirements, according to the principles of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and Regulation (EC) No 183/2005. The person responsible for the labelling of feed shall make available to the competent authorities any information concerning the composition or claimed properties of the functional feed ingredient placed on the market, which allows the accuracy of the information given by the labelling to be verified.
Premixtures
Premixtures are mixtures of feed additives or mixtures of one or more feed additives with feed materials or water used as carriers, not intended to direct feeding to animals.
The production and use of premixtures is ruled by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 on feed additives for use in animal nutrition A premixture is intended for incorporation in compound feedingstuffs, feed materials or water and not meant for direct feeding to animals. The function of the premixture is to optimize mixing of feed additives in feeding stuffs. The incorporation rate shall not in any way distinguish a pre-mixture from an additive.
By application of Article 13 of Directive 70/524 establishing specific use of certain additives (antibiotics, coccidiostats, vitamins A and D, cupper and selenium), the minimum inclusion rate of pre-mixture containing these substances is set at 0.2 %. Lower inclusion rates (down to 0.05 %) for this type of pre-mixture may be used under specific approval from the local authorities. For liquid pre-mixture, the incorporation rate shall take into account its specific gravity.
Mixtures
Speciality complementary feed are compound feed containing two or more composed of a mixture of feed additive(s) and/or speciality feed ingredients from all categories except additives listed in Annex IV, Chapter 3 of Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 on Feed Hygiene, and/or with or without feed material(s), and but which, by reason of its composition isare insufficient for a daily ration. Production and use of speciality complementary feed is ruled by Regulation (EC) No 767/2009.
Speciality complementary dietetic feed are speciality complementary feed intended to full fill a specific particular nutritional purpose as defined in Regulation (EC) No 767/2009. These are feed aimed at fulfilling a temporary, increased and/or specific nutritional needs of animals. They are given separately from, or together with, the daily ration or via water. Production and use of speciality complementary feed is ruled by Regulation (EC) No 767/2009.