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Imprint
Studies on the transfer of pyrrolizidine alkaloids into livestock (PA-SAFE-FEED)
Project
Project code: FLI-ITE-08-Br-0068
Contract period: 01.04.2020
- 01.09.2023
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: animal food, toxins, risk asesment
In recent years, the increasing expansion of ragworts (Senecio spp.) has been observed with great concern by many authorities monitoring food and feed at district and state level. Ragworts such as S. jacobaea or S. aquaticus contain liver-toxic and carcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and their N-oxides (PANO), which can be harmful for human and animal health already in very low doses. In certain regions of Germany, cultivated grassland or extensively cultivated pastures are often contaminated with ragworts containing PA / PANO, which can lead to PA / PANO exposure of animals through feeding contaminated diets (silage, hay) or during pasture grazing. This poses a threat to animal health and to humans, who can ingest PA / PANO as a result of a possible transfer into food of animal origin. Senecio plants have a high reproduction and spreading potential through the production of a large amount of airworthy seeds, which also have a high germination capacity. At the same time, ragworts have low soil quality requirements so that they can easily colonize wasteland and extensively used areas. In contrast to conventional agriculture, this problem particularly affects ecological farming, because there are only mechanical or biological options to combat these weeds. Furthermore, such farms rely on the use of regionally produced feed. In addition, access to pasture land is a major requirement of the Council regulation (EC) No. 834/2007. The responsible authorities in Germany and the EU therefore face the challenge of deriving correct recommendations and risk management measures. However, the necessary data base for risk assessment for various farm animals as well as for the transfer into food of animal origin can be viewed as incomplete at the present time. This means that a reliable risk assessment of PA / PANO levels in animal feed is currently hardly possible. During the present project, feeding studies on cows, sheep and goats will be performed to assess PA / PANO levels in feed and the transfer of PA / PANO and possible metabolites into foods of animal origin. The study results are expected to contribute to a better assessment of PA occurrence in feed and food of animal origin. They support all affected branches of industry, especially small and medium-sized companies and farms, and enables them to take the necessary quality assurance measures. Through an improved data basis on tolerable levels in animal feed, guidance values can be determined and thus contribute to animal health and consumer protection.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal nutrition
