Legislation

This page provides a general overview of the regulation for animal by-products.

Legislation on animal by-products not intended for human consumption (ABP)

Products of animal origin that are not used or cannot be used for human consumption are subject to strict, exhaustive European rules. Since 2003, a comprehensive legal framework has been in force for ABP. Currently, these rules are laid down in Regulation 1069/2009 and its Implementing Regulation 142/2011.

These regulations determine the conditions for the collection, transportation, storage, processing, use, elimination and placing on the market of all products of animal origin which are not intended for human consumption.

In short, the legislation will divide all ABP into 3 different categories, depending on their potential risk. The category will determine which options are available to use or destroy the products. All stages of the ABP chain must be registered or approved by the competent authorities and specific processing methods are laid down in order to guarantee safe usage or destruction. For example, for the feeding of farmed animals, only category 3 material, which is the safest category, can be used after processing in an approved processing plant (although the use of animal proteins for the feeding of farmed animal is limited due to the “feed ban” in Regulation 999/2001).

Summary of TSE legislation

Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002

Summary of the animal by-products not intended for human consumption legislation

Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 of 25 February 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and implementing Council Directive 97/78/EC as regards certain samples and items exempt from veterinary checks at the border under that Directive.

Last updated: 28/11/2022