Plan to feed pigs to chickens slammed

May 8 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

A NORTH EAST scientist has said European Union plans to allow pig remains to be used to feed poultry could create a second BSE-style crisis.

The EU is reported to be preparing the move to save farmers millions of pounds as feed costs continue to soar.

Feeding animal remains to chickens has been banned in Europe for the past 10 years following the BSE crisis.

Last night Dr Harash Narang, the man who discovered the link between BSE and its human form CJD, told The Journal he was concerned that the same could happen again.

Dr Narang, a microbiologist who lives in Hexham, Northumberland, said he feared a repeat of the BSE crisis, which was caused when remains of animals were fed to cattle.

He said: “There are three reasons why this is a bad idea.

“Number one, it will make chickens much unhealthier as they will be eating meat rather than corn or other crops. This could add to the obesity crisis.

“Secondly fat, which would be part of the feed, stores carcinogens which can contribute to cancer.

“And finally it is difficult to predict what bugs could be passed on through the food chain to humans.

“We could have a similar situation as with BSE, when a disease is passed on to humans through eating contaminated meat.”

Dr Narang has launched a petition to stop the measure.

And a North East poultry farmer has said he has grave reservations about such a move.

David Maughan has 18,000 free-range chickens at his farm in County Durham. He said: “I’m not happy at all about this possibility. Feed costs are high at the moment but this is not the answer.

“It is not clear if there would be any real risk to people but I don’t think consumers would be happy to buy chicken which has been fed pig. The image of the industry has to be right.”

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it would back the move only if proper safety tests were introduced.

A Defra spokesman said: “We understand the European Commission will be submitting a proposal later this year. We would only support it if we were fully satisfied that appropriate and effective testing had taken place to control the use of such proteins in poultry feed.”

He added that an EU project looking at testing methods was due for completion in 2009. Keith Henderson, North East chairman of the NFU Poultry Board, said: “This is something I would only consider using if it was something that consumers would accept.

“Until the mid 80s there was a bit of meat in chicken feed and there were no problems then.

“Feed costs are astronomical at the moment and I think some will eventually start using pig feed.

“Chickens could be imported into this country which have been fed animals remains. They would be cheaper than our poultry.

“The NFU will always follow the best scientific advice and understanding, and so are waiting to hear the final EFSA (European Food Standards Authority) and food standards agency (FSA) opinions on the matter.”

The EFSA said it could not comment on the issue.