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Collaborative project: Studies on the carry-over of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in livestock (PA-SAFE-FEED)

Project


Project code: 2818NA006, BfR-SiN-08-60-0103-06.P208
Contract period: 01.07.2019 - 30.09.2023
Budget: 125,123 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: food safety, product safety, poison / toxins, cattle, small ruminants, animal feed, milk, grassland, animal nutrition, animal health

The increasing spread of cruciferous herbs (Senecio spp.) has been observed with great concern in recent years. Ragweeds such as Senecio jacobaea or Senecio aquaticus contain liver-toxic and carcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and their N-oxides (PANO), which, even in very small doses, can be harmful to human and animal health. Farm grassland and in particular extensively cultivated pastures are frequently contaminated with PA/PANO-containing plants in certain regions of Germany, which can lead to PA/PANO exposure of animals during grazing or by feeding contaminated feed preserves (silage, hay). A possible transfer of PA/PANO into food of animal origin is equally dangerous for the consumer. Organic farming, in contrast to conventional agriculture, is particularly affected by the PA problem because only mechanical or biological methods are available to control these weeds. In addition, animal-friendly husbandry on pasture land and the use of regionally produced feed is mandatory. The responsible authorities in Germany and the EU are thus faced with the challenge of developing correct recommendations and risk management measures. At present, however, the necessary database for risk assessment for various farm animals and for the transfer to food of animal origin can be regarded as incomplete. Thus, a reliable risk assessment of PA/PANO contents in animal feed is hardly possible at present. Before this background, feeding studies for the assessment of PA/PANO levels in feed harmful for cows, sheep and goats and for the assessment of a transfer of PA/PANO and possible metabolites in food of animal origin will be carried out within the framework of this project.

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