Animal by-products

The various parts of domestic farm animals are not always intended for human consumption. There are various reasons for this: cultural reasons, economic reasons, culinary traditions, or simply because the product has become unsuitable for human consumption. However, some animal by-products are specifically produced for use outside the food chain; examples include wool, down, musk, the colour carmine, shellac resin, etc.

However, most animal by-products originate from the meat industry. Around 50% of the weight of slaughtered animals is not consumed. These are nevertheless valuable substances (fats, proteins, etc.), which are used in Europe. They are valorised in numerous applications. Nonetheless, it is essential that this valorisation is done safely, both for humans and animals. As such, comprehensive legislation has been in force in Europe since 2003 to ensure effective risk management when using or removing animal by-products: Regulation 1069/2009 and its Implementing Regulation 142/2011.

In Belgium, animal by-products fall under the competence of various public bodies, depending on their intended use. The distribution of these competences is laid down in the Agreement of 16 January 2014 between the Federal State and the Regions, with regards to animal by-products not intended for human consumption.

The FASFC is competent for:

Veterinary checks of all animal by-products and derived products which enter into the European Union;
Feed for farmed animals or pet animals;
The manufacture and circulation of fertilizers and soil improvers other than or not containing unprocessed manure.