Enclosed you will find the most important legal information for feed manufacturers, farmers and livestock owners:

Responsibility of the distributor

Directive 2002/32/EC contains requirements for undesirable substances, such as heavy metals. Feed may not be placed on the market if these requirements (e.g.: maximum levels) are not met. Parameters to be tested are

• Heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury)
• Dioxins, PCBs (dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like)
• Microbiological contamination (fungi, bacteria, yeasts, e.g. E. coli, salmonella)
• Mineral oil (e.g. heating oil) in case of suspicion

Only safe feed may be placed on the market.

Responsibility of the farmer

Farmers must assess the consequences of flooding and ensure that feed and food are safe (Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002). Immediate measures in the event of flooding are

• Check drinking water: In the event of flooding with dirty water, it is important to also check the drinking water for impairment, especially in the case of farm-owned wells. In an emergency, the livestock should be supplied with drinking water.
• Check feed stocks:
  • Coarse feed (silage, hay, straw) that has come into contact with dirty water is unusable as feed.
  • Dried feed that has absorbed moisture should either be fed immediately or preserved (e.g. drying or acid preservation).
  • Grain stocks (grains, meal, mixtures) that are contaminated with dirty water must not be used as feed.

Use of grassland areas

Grassland should be cleared of coarse foreign material. Whenever possible, the contaminated vegetation should be mulched or worked into the soil. The new growth can then be used again to produce fodder. Attention should be paid to the following parameters:

• Sensory inspection:
  • Soiling (e.g. oily films (heating oil), soil)
  • Changes in color and odor (putrid, moldy)
  • Atypical structure and foreign bodies
• Feeding green fodder: If contaminated with organic or inorganic pollutants or hygienically impaired, feeding should not take place. After the soil has dried, it is advisable to cut the growth short and dispose of it. Mowing management should aim for low contamination

Use of arable land

• Harvesting after flooding: It is often not advisable to forage the crop after flooding. The assessment depends on the type of plant and the level of contamination. A high cut is advisable to avoid contaminated material.
• Spring/early summer: In the event of flooding, the main issue is usually the survival of the crop. In the event of total failure, catch crops (e.g. ryegrass or clover) can be useful.