EU to lift its ban on feeding animal remains to domestic livestock

Allowing processed animal protein feed for pigs and poultry, barred since BSE crisis, will address non-EU competition, says Commission

A ban on farm feed made of animal remains introduced during the BSE crisis is to be lifted in the EU to allow cheap pig protein to be fed to chickens over fears that European farmers are being undercut by lower standards elsewhere.

The change to the regulations come into force in August following a last-ditch attempt by a coalition of MEPs, led by the Greens, which failed on Tuesday to kill the policy. The EU's member states have already endorsed the regulation, with only France and Ireland abstaining.