News that tests to allow the remains of animals to be used in farm feed for the first time since the BSE crisis has been greeted with dismay by farmers and scientists.
EU scientists are reported to be spending over £11 million on research which would allow the remains of pigs and chickens to be used as fodder.
Such measures were banned in 2000 after the spread of BSE - or mad cow disease.
But one Kent farmer said: "This is madness itself - we have just got back the confidence of consumers who were worried for years.
"How can people think this is a good idea?"
The proposal comes from the European Economic and Social Committee, which advised the EU.
It was discussed after pressure from food manufacturers concerned at the increasing cost of disposing of animal carcasses.
Recommendations include pig meal should be fed to chickens and vice versa.
A minute from the recommendations reads: "The EESC suggests that the European Commission pursue and step up as quickly as possible the studies currently underway which clearly show that the use of meat meal.....can be used in pig and poultry food without posing any danger to human health."
But the farmer said: "These so called studies are nowhere near enough. Anyone who remembers the fields of a few years ago with their smouldering carcasses of burnt animals - the checks at all ports and the damage to the countryside should be very concerned."
Bactereologist Hugh Pennington is an expert on BSE.
He said: "There needs to be a rigorous scientific assessment of any plans to reintroduce meat meal to pigs and chickens.
"This would have to be independent of the EU.
"The biggest problem will be to win over public opinion."
POSTED: 04/06/2007 12:41:51
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