UK Government Consults on Reintroduction of Animal Flesh into Farmed Animals’ Feed

The UK government is considering reintroducing processed animal protein (PAP) into some farmed animal feed, a practice that was banned in the early 2000s due to the Mad Cow disease crisis. The consultation, open for eight weeks, includes asking if farmed birds and pigs should be fed other animals. The government also wants to reintroduce insect PAP in pig and bird feed as well as ruminant collagen and gelatine in non-ruminant feed, with the goal of enabling investment in the insect protein sector.

The ban on feeding animals to herbivorous animals was put in place to prevent the spread of diseases like Mad Cow Disease, so it is concerning that the government is considering reintroducing this practice. Animal welfare advocates and experts are raising concerns about the potential risks involved, as the practice could lead to the spread of diseases among farmed animals.