The use of meat and bone meal in animal feed is forbidden in the European Union, due to the risk of BSE spreading. This puts companies in the EU in a negative competition position, due to the relatively strict BSE regulation and measures regarding the use of by-products.

Re-introduction animal protein
According to the EESC, the current situation causes extra costs to destruct pig carcasses and higher prices for alternative vegetable protein sources to be used in animal feed. The EESC therefore advocates liberation of the Animal By-product regulation (1774/2002), provided that the consumers are guaranteed that there is no cross contamination (and thus cannibalism).
This means that the method for identification for proteins that are currently used should be brought to perfection. Furthermore, the proteins that are used in animal feed should come from healthy pigs and birds, slaughtered in separate abattoirs.

On-farm destruction
The EESC also thinks that there should be more research in the possibilities for on-farm destruction of dead animals. In this perspective, a system that destructs and produces energy at the same time is one of the most favourable options to further investigate.