The role of rendering in relation to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy epidemic, the development of EU animal by‐product legislation and the reintroduction of rendered products into animal feeds

S L Woodgate,R G Wilkinson

doi:10.1111/aab.12676

S L Woodgate, R G Wilkinson

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1111/aab.12676

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Abstract

AbstractThe bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic in 1986 highlighted the importance of the rendering industry as a key component of the food supply chain. Prior to 1986 the rendering industry was poorly understood. However, following the emergence of BSE research was commissioned to characterise rendering systems and investigate their ability to inactivate transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agents. Six rendering systems were found to be operational in Europe but their key process parameters, such as particle size, process temperature and transit time, were poorly characterised. This review describes how these key process parameters were determined and used to inform protocols for the subsequent TSE inactivation trials which subsequently shaped both EU legislation and the development of techniques used to validate rendering systems. It also describes how EU legislation banning the use of animal‐derived proteins in animal feeds ('feed ban') effectively eliminated the market for meat and bone meal (MBM) and how the rendering industry sought to 'add value' to rendered products by conducting research to support the development of new markets for rendered products. The nutritional, environmental and economic characteristics of modern processed animal proteins (PAPs) mean that they represent valuable ingredients for use in animal feeds. Recent research has paved the way for legislative changes allowing the safe reintroduction of nonruminant PAP into aqua‐feeds and may soon facilitate their reintroduction into pig and poultry feeds. However, resistance from key stakeholders in the food chain remains a significant challenge that must be overcome before their full potential can be realised. Further research is required to characterise modern PAPS and to ensure their appropriate, safe and acceptable inclusion in animal feeds.

Highlights

Following the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic in 1986 the use of meat and bone meal (MBM) was banned in the diet of animals kept for food production (EC No 999/2001) (Regulation (EC), 2001)
This review will evaluate the role of the rendering industry in the BSE epidemic, the development of current EU legislation concerning animal by-products (ABP) and the recent debate about the reintroduction of processed animal proteins (PAPs) into animal feeds
Through the characterisation of rendering processes and shaping of EU legislation the rendering industry has played a crucial role in the elimination of BSE

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Following the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic in 1986 the use of meat and bone meal (MBM) was banned in the diet of animals kept for food production (EC No 999/2001) (Regulation (EC), 2001). The emergence of BSE in 1986 and its subsequent evolution as an epidemic brought animal by-products (ABP) and the rendering industry to the attention of the public for the first time and emphasised their importance in the food supply chain. MAFF commissioned a survey of the rendering industry, the objectives of which were to characterise rendering systems, the time and extent of heat treatment during the rendering process (BSE Inquiry, 2000). The terms of reference of this working group were to formulate a joint research programme to investigate the ability of rendering systems to inactivate TSE agents (BSE Inquiry, 2000) This was quickly subsumed by the Scientific Veterinary Committee of the European Union (SVC), which advised the European Commission on protecting animal health and through that human health in all member states

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Findings

| CONCLUSIONS