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International Feed Industry Federation works with FAO & WTO to develop global feed manual

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October 28, 2005 - The first draft of a global feed manual has been forwarded to national feed associations around the world for comment and contributions.

The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) is working with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to develop a ‘Manual of Good Practices for the Feed Industry’ that will explain in detail the requirements of the newly-adopted Codex Alimentarius’ Code of Good Animal Feeding Practice. The target date for the completion of the Manual is early 2006.

>Dr Steve Auman, Director of Business Development, Feed Products for Potash Corporation in Canada and a member of the IFIF Board, has been appointed IFIF/FAO Manual Liaison Officer to co-ordinate the project between World Trade Organisation (WTO) and industry.

The Manual will consist of eight chapters and each chapter within the Manual will be proceeded by the relevant section of the Code. The objective of the Manual is to explain how feed manufacturers can implement the Codex Code of Good Animal Feeding Practice.

Dr Auman says, “This is the first time an attempt has been made at developing an international feed manual. It is not an all-inclusive manual, but one that focuses specifically on the issues of feed and food safety. The Manual will carry with it an appendices that will contain a broad range of useful information related to the manufacture of safe feed. The Manual will also cover animal feeding on farm.”

Dr Auman says the new Manual will help meet the demand for safe and affordable food globally by:

-  Applying a range of processing technologies and engineering in feed manufacture, from processes relying on general and skilled labour to fully-automated manufacturing systems

-  Making use of a wide range of co-products, by-products and raw materials from primary agricultural production, the food industry and industrial sources

-  Sponsoring university research in animal nutrition and other fields and conducting their own feeding and animal husbandry trials

-  Developing systems of feed marketing and distribution to support livestock farming in markets that span the globe

-  Play an increasingly proactive role in educating consumers and regulatory authorities worldwide on a variety of issues that affect the supply of safe and affordable foods of animal origin

Codex Alimentarius, a United Nations-sanctioned organisation consisting of 171 country members, has completed work on regulations for animal feeds that would apply uniformly around the world. This is important for the expansion of international trade in feed products as well as food products of animal origin. Both food exporting countries and food importing countries, which include virtually every country, can benefit from a level playing field to support the trade of safe food products.

Much of the Codex Alimentarius regulatory effort parallels existing rules and industry-standard practices in the European Union (EU), the United States, Brazil and Australia. 

Feed manufacturers participated in the Codex process through the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF). Other national and international organisations in the food and commodity supply industries also participate, which underscores the importance of feed industry involvement.

The Manual is expected to be completed by January 2006 with distribution by mid-2006.

Caption (picture available from ):

Dr Steve Auman heads IFIF's initiative with FAO to develop a global Feed Manual to address feed and food safety issues as they apply to feed manufacturers and farmers alike
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Note to Editors:
For additional information please contact:
Roger Gilbert
Secretary General - IFIF
Tel: +44 1242 267702  or Email: