Emergency authorisation approved for livestock feed cobalt salts in England and Wales

Emergency legislation for the authorisation of key cobalt salts to be used in livestock feed in England and Wales has been put forward after pressure from the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC).

In a letter received today (27 June) from Mark Spencer MP, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Minister, it was confirmed to AIC that Statutory Instruments (SIs) for the urgent authorisation for the four cobalt additives have now been laid in Parliament.

Responding to AIC's call to join Scotland in granting an emergency authorisation, the Minister said: "I received the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) recommendation and indicated my support.

"You will be pleased to know the Statutory Instruments (SIs) providing the urgent (provisional) authorisation for the four cobalt additives were laid in Parliament on 22 June in England and Wales (SI No.689 and No.678 (Cy.100) respectively)."

GB-wide approval

In May, AIC and The British Association of Feed Supplement and Additive Manufacturers (BAFSAM) worked together to write to the FSA and Defra, submitting evidence and data on the animal welfare and economic implications of losing the four cobalt feed additives. AIC also responded to an FSA consultation on its Members' behalf.

It comes after legislation approving the use of the same cobalt salts was put to the Scottish Parliament earlier in June, following a co-ordinated effort by AIC and BAFSAM.

The SIs have been harmonised to collectively come into force across Great Britain on 15 July, ensuring uninterrupted market supply of cobalt feed additives.

'Right outcome for farmers'

James McCulloch, AIC's Head of Animal Feed, said: "This is a great example of the industry and regulators working together to secure the right outcome for livestock farmers.

"This news will be especially welcome for sheep farmers across Great Britain wanting to supplement spring-born lambs with cobalt to help ensure good growth rates over the summer months.

"AIC is grateful for the support from the FSA, FSS and Minister Spencer on this important matter."

Authors

James McCulloch

Head of Animal Feed, AIC

Oli Hill

Communications Manager, AIC

As Communications Manager, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.

A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.