EU Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009

Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 is a cornerstone of the European Union's legal framework regarding the management of animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption. This regulation aims to protect public and animal health by establishing comprehensive health rules for the handling, transport, processing, and disposal of such materials.

Key elements of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 include:

Scope and Objectives

• The regulation covers animal by-products and derived products excluded from human consumption.
• Its primary objectives are to prevent and minimize risks to public and animal health and to protect the environment.

Categorization of Animal By-Products

• Category 1: Materials posing the highest risk, including specified risk materials (SRMs), animals suspected of being infected with transmissible diseases, and products containing residues of prohibited substances.
• Category 2: Intermediate-risk materials, such as manure, digestive tract content, and animals that die other than by being slaughtered for human consumption.
• Category 3: Lowest-risk materials, including parts of animals slaughtered fit for human consumption but not intended for human food due to commercial reasons.

Handling and Processing Requirements

• Strict guidelines are provided for the collection, identification, transport, and storage of animal by-products to prevent contamination and ensure traceability.
• Processing standards ensure that materials are treated to inactivate pathogens effectively, including methods like rendering, composting, biogas production, and incineration.

Traceability and Documentation

• Comprehensive documentation and record-keeping requirements ensure the traceability of animal by-products from their origin to their final disposal or use.
• Commercial documents and health certificates must accompany shipments, detailing the nature of the materials and compliance with regulatory standards.

Use and Disposal

• The regulation specifies permissible uses for derived products, such as technical use, pet food, organic fertilizers, and biogas production.
• It also mandates the safe disposal of high-risk materials through methods that effectively eliminate potential hazards.

Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 is implemented alongside Regulation (EU) No 142/2011, which provides detailed rules and procedures for its application. Together, these regulations form a robust framework for managing animal by-products in the EU, ensuring safety, public health protection, and environmental sustainability.