Submitted by: agcomm,  Thu Dec 18 12:35:24 1997


                        December 18, 1997
 
Law Limits Use of Animal Tissue Protein in Feed for Cattle,
Requires Records 
 
     A law designed as a precaution against 'mad cow disease'
prohibits cattle producers from using some animal proteins in
feeds and requires them to keep records if they use others.
"Research indicates that 'mad cow disease,' or Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy, can be passed from one ruminant animal to the
next by consumption of animal protein," explains Greg Lardy, beef
specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension
Service.  "This law is designed to head off any potential
problems with the disease in the United States."
     Lardy notes that there have been no confirmed cases of BSE
in the United States. 
     The law bans the use of animal tissues in feed for ruminants
except for:           
  *  Non-mammalian tissues including marine (fish meal), poultry
     (feather meal, poultry byproduct meal, etc.), and vegetable
     proteins (oilseed meals, etc.).           
  *  Non-protein or non-tissue feedstuffs such as grease, tallow,
     amino acids, dicalcium phosphate, fat and oils.
  *  Exempt mammalian protein such as protein from pigs, horses,
     blood and blood products, milk and milk products, and plate
     waste from restaurants or food service.      
  Under the law, which took effect in August, renderers,
protein blenders, feed manufacturers and distributors must meet
guidelines for cleaning equipment after feeds or protein sources
of animal origin are used.  They also must list the kind of
animal proteins on feed labels.
     Livestock producers who feed ruminants also must meet
requirements under the law.  They must:
  *  Maintain copies of all invoices for all feeds received that
     contain animal protein.           
  *  Maintain copies of labeling for all feeds containing animal
     protein byproducts.             
  *  Make copies of invoices and labeling available for FDA
     inspection and copying.             
  *  Maintain records for a minimum of one year.
     Farmers, ranchers and businesses in the feed industry are
subject to spot checks by  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
or the North Dakota Department of Agriculture to monitor
compliance.
                              ###
NDSU Agriculture Communication
Source: Greg Lardy (701) 231-7660
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629