37. The first Session of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Codex Task Force on Animal Feeding agreed that the Danish and Codex Secretariats would develop a revised text of the proposed draft Code for circulation and comment at Step 3. It was further agreed that the revised text and the compiled comments would form the basis of discussion at its next Session[17].
38. The Task Force based its discussion on the revised text contained in CL 2000/30-AF and the comments submitted. The Task Force discussed the revised text section by section, and agreed to the following changes:
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
39. In view of the Commission’s primary mandate related to the protection of the health of consumers, the Task Force clarified that the Code was aimed at minimizing risks to the health of consumers through the establishment of a feed safety system for food producing animals which covered the whole food chain. In view of this decision, the Committee agreed to change references to “human health” to “consumers’ health” throughout the text.
40. The Task Force also agreed that notwithstanding the fact that the Commission was not directly responsible for issues related to animal health and the environment, appropriate measures related to these issues were necessary in an feeding system in order to ensure consumers’ health and therefore, the text was modified accordingly. It was also clarified that the Code applied in addition to the Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene within the context of the special aspects of animal feeding.
SECTION 2 - PURPOSE AND SCOPE
41. The Task Force agreed to delete references to specific materials used in the production of feedingstuffs (animal, plant, marine) as these provisions were adequately covered within the definition of feed ingredients. The Task Force further clarified this Section to indicate that environmental contamination was considered in the context of animal feeding due to possible adverse affects to consumers’ health through the consumption of foods of animal origin. The Task Force also agreed to add an additional and final paragraph to the Section as suggested by Canada in CX/AF 01/5.
SECTION 3 - DEFINITIONS
Raw Materials and Feed Materials
42. In view of the potential misinterpretation of the term “materials”, and in consideration that definitions for terms within the Code should be limited to what was necessary, the Task Force deleted the terms and definitons for “raw materials” and “feed materials”. It was further decided that basic materials used in the production of feed would be covered in the definitions for “feed” and “feed ingredients”.
Feed (Feedingstuffs)
43. After a detailed discussion, the Task Force decided that “Feed (Feedingstuffs)” was “any single or multiple material whether processed, semi-processed or raw, which is intended to be fed directly to food producing animals”.
Feed Ingredient
44. The Committee agreed to encompass, from several previous definitions, a new definition for “(Feed) Ingredient”. The definition was also clarified to indicate that feed ingredients might not always have nutritional value in the animals’ diet, for example, the use of feed additives such as binders. The Task Force also agreed to incorporate into the definition of feed ingredients that they are of plant, animal or aquatic origin and organic or inorganic substances.
45. As a result of these discussions, the Task Force agreed that “Feed Ingredients” were “A component part or constituent of any combination or mixture making up a feed whether or not it has nutritional value in the animal’s diet, including feed additives. Ingredients are of plant, animal or aquatic origin and organic or inorganic substances”.
46. The delegations of Germany, Greece and the Netherlands expressed their reservation to the revised definition for the term feed ingredient, as these delegations were of the opinion that the definition could allow for the adulteration of feedingstuffs with non-nutritive substances.
Feed Additive
47. The Task Force noted that the proposed definition for “feed additive” was generally based on the Codex definition for “food additive”, i.e., that it was intentionally added as an ingredient in feed, was not normally used as feed by itself, did not necessarily have nutritive value, and affected the characteristics of the feed. However, as the Task Force could not agree on the coverage of additives in the improvement of animal performance or production, the text related to this concept remained in square brackets, so that opposing views could be fully discussed at the next meeting.
48. The Task Force agreed that “feed additives” were defined as “Any intentionally added ingredient not normally consumed as feed by itself, whether or not it has nutritive value, which affects the characteristics of feed or animal products [or is intended to improve animal performance]”.
Medicated Feedingstuffs
49. In consideration of completed work undertaken by other Codex bodies, the Task Force agreed that “medicated feedingstuffs” should be defined as “Any feed which contains veterinary drugs as defined in the Codex Alimentarius Commission Procedural Manual”[18].
Undesirable Substances
50. The Task Force discussed the merits of the square bracketed phrase “with the exception of pathogenic agents” in the definition for “undesirable substances” and, as it was agreed that pathogenic agents were in fact undesirable in feed and needed special attention, deleted the phrase in its entirety. The second set of bracketed text related to negative effects on livestock production was also removed.
51. The Task Force agreed that the term “undesirable substance” was defined as “contaminants and other substances which are present in and/or on the product intended for animal feeding and which constitute a risk to the health of the consumer, including food safety related animal health issues”.
Waste
52. The Task Force agreed to exclude the definition for “waste” at this point, with the understanding that the term of waste will be fully explained when used in the text.
SECTION 4 - GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND REQUIREMENTS
53. The Task Force clarified that feed ingredients should be “maintained”, as opposed to “preserved”, and inserted a sentence that “Where at all possible, HACCP Principles should be followed”. In view of the fact that the requirements for the production of feeds or feed ingredients by industry were different from requirements for on-farm producers and users of feedingstuffs, the Task Force agreed to consider this issue further at a future meeting (see para 65).
54. The Task Force also clarified that “There is a need for collaboration between all parties involved in feed production and in the production of food of animal origin, manufacturing and use of feed to establish the linkage between any identified or potential hazard and the level of risk”.
Section 4.1 - Raw Materials, Minerals, Vitamins and Feed Additives
55. In consideration of the comprehensive definition already established for “Feed Ingredients” (see paras 44-46), the Task Force changed the Title of the Section to “Feed Ingredients” and made subsequential changes to the first sentence of the text by deleting the reference to “Raw materials of animal, plant and/or marine origin”. The first sentence was also clarified to indicate that feed ingredients should be obtained from “safe”, as opposed to “reputable”, sources and “should meet defined standards”. The condition that “Manufacturers should provide instructions for correct use” was also added to the Section.
Section 4.2. - Labelling
56. The Task Force agreed to simplify and combine the paragraphs concerning general labelling requirements by indicating that “Labelling, or the accompanying documents, should contain information about the species or category of animals and the purpose for which the feed is intended; a full list of ingredients, including additives; trade name, the name and address of the producer or intermediates; registration number if available; nutrition profile, direction and precautions for use; lot identification, manufacturing date and use before or expiry date”.
57. In view of discussions underway in the Codex Committee on Food Labelling related to the labelling of foods obtained through biotechnology and related ongoing work in the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Biotechnology, the Task Force decided to place the modified sentence that “Genetically modified organisms and derived products should be labelled” in square brackets so that the issue might be revisited at its next meeting.
Section 4.3 - Traceability and Record Keeping
58. The Committee noted ongoing work in the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) and other Codex committees related to traceability, including the fact that the Codex Alimentarius Commission was scheduled to discuss the issue with a view towards providing guidance on the matter and therefore, the Task Force decided to discuss this Section further at its next Session.
59. However, the Committee modified the first sentence of the Section to read that “Traceability of feed and feed ingredients, including additives, should be ensured by proper labelling and record keeping at all stages of production and distribution”. The Task Force also agreed to further define the more important records to maintain by adding a sentence to indicate that “The key records to be kept are daily production logs, inventory records, labels and invoices”, with the understanding that daily production logs and other key records will be further discussed by the Drafting Group (see para. 67).
60. In view of texts adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission concerning “Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Control Emergency Situations” and “Guidelines for the Exchange of Information Between Countries on Rejections of Imported Food”, the Task Force agreed that a possible separate and new Section related to Special Conditions Applicable to Emergency Situations would be developed for consideration at its next meeting. As a consequence of this decision, the second paragraph of Section 4.3 was deleted.
Section 4.5.4 - Undesirable Substances
61. As recommended by the open-ended meeting (see para. 30-36), the Task Force invited a small drafting group of countries to set up a list of groups of chemicals and contaminants that would be considered as undesirable substances in animal feedingstuffs and to identify future work to be undertaken by the Task Force or other Codex Committees in this area. The findings of the drafting group (see CRD 10), chaired by Canada and including Austria, Australia (rapporteur), Namibia, Peru and Thailand, were reported to the Task Force.
62. The Committee noted the suggestion of the Codex Secretariat that broad categories of undesirable substances might be categorized by groupings used by other Codex committees such as “Industrial and Environmental Contaminants”, “Mycotoxins”, “Pesticides” and “Pathogenic Agents”. Other delegations suggested the addition of other broad categories related to “Plant Toxicants”, “Persistant Organic Pollutants” and “Radioactive Materials”. The Codex Secretariat informed the Task Force that due to resource and other constraints, it was normal procedure for other Codex committees to prioritize their work for consideration by expert groups such as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) on the basis of specific substances. In this regard, it was noted that the responsibility for identifying undesirable substances in feedingstuffs that were a threat to the health of consumers rested with the Task Force.
63. The Delegate of the United Kingdom also informed the Task Force on discussions in the open-ended meeting concerning the extent to which the Task Force should address issues such as animal health or the environment. He emphasized the importance of taking into account not only contaminants in feeds that carry over to the food but also those that could adversely affect the health status of animals and subsequently, the quality of the food.
64. On the basis of the drafting group report, the Codex Secretariat agreed to provide the Task Force with information on ongoing and completed work in other Codex Committees concerning the establishment of maximum levels and residue limits by these Committees for feedingstuffs and foods in other Codex committees (also see Agenda Item 2, paras. 4-15). The Task Force agreed that this information would assist their endeavours in prioritizing work towards the establishment of limits for such substances in feedingstuffs if necessary. The Task Force noted that governments had the opportunity to discuss and prioritize substances for consideration by other Codex Committees through established Codex procedures and that individual countries were encouraged to perform their own risk assessments in this regard.
SECTION 6 - ON-FARM PRODUCTION AND USE OF FEEDINGSTUFFS
65. In view of the importance in differentiating between industrial and on-farm production, sale and use of feed ingredients and feeds, the Committee agreed that a drafting group[19] led by Australia and assisted by Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Sudan, Thailand, Uganda, the Asociación Latinoamericana de Avicultura (ALA), Consumers International (CI), the Confédération mondiale de l’industrie de la santé animale (COMISA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) would fully develop this Section of the Code for circulation, comment and further consideration at the next Session of the Task Force.
SECTION 7 - METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND SAMPLING
66. The Committee noted that information provided by the Codex Secretariat in CRD 8 16 would be useful to the Drafting Group on the Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding (see para. 67) in developing Section 7 of the Code.
Status of the Proposed Draft Revised Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding
67. The Task Force agreed to a revised version of the major parts of the Code as discussed above. Furthermore, the Task Force agreed that a drafting group led by the United Kingdom, and assisted by Australia, Chile, Germany, Japan, the United States of America, Consumers International (CI), the Confédération mondiale de l’industrie de la santé animale (COMISA) and the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) would prepare a redraft of the Code (with the exception of Section 6) based on the above discussions and agreements and written comments submitted at the current meeting for circulation, further comment and consideration at the next Session of the Task Force.
Manufacturing of feed at farm level:
The Code for farm produced feed should follow the same principles as for industrial produced feed, including possible provisions for HACCP.
Good Animal Feeding Practice:
The Code should include standards for good feeding practice by farmers to secure proper use of feedingstuffs.
Good Agricultural Practice
Raw material and forage crops should meet Good Agricultural Practice. Records
should be available on use of seed, fertilizer, pesticides, pest control storage
etc. The code should also cover the proper use of feed-blocks, salt licking
blocks, mineral and vitamin supplements and to the use of other supplements
