EFSA’s Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) adopted a scientific opinion revising maximum levels of copper in animal feed.
Copper is an essential trace element for all forms of life and performs several biological functions. However, high levels of copper (higher than the nutritional needs) are sometimes applied for their positive influences on growth rate. This is mainly the case in piglets. These high levels of copper are secreted by the animals and can be a threat for the environment. EFSA therefore proposed the following revisions:
• Piglets (<12 weeks): from 170 mg to 25 mg/kg feed
• Cattle (beef and dairy cattle): from 35 mg to 30 mg/kg feed
• Goats: from 25 mg to 35 mg/kg feed
• No modification on the maximum copper contents in feed for poultry (including chickens for fattening) has been proposed. The current level of 25 mg/kg feed is maintained.
• No modification on the maximum copper contents in feed for sheep has been proposed. The current level
of 15 mg/kg feed is maintained.
Source: All About Feed, 18 july 2016
