Agriculture and Feed News

New authorizations of zinc as an additive for animal feed in the EU

Trace elements are chemical elements, such as iron, manganese; zinc and copper that are essential for many processes of the organism, where many physiological and morphological processes are involved. This is the case of zinc, which plays an important role in the synthesis of collagen and keratin, components of skin, hair and hooves. Zinc is also involved in bone development and resistance in the immune and enzyme systems where hundreds of enzymes are zinc dependent. Also, it is an important antioxidant that plays a key role in protecting cells, stimulation of the immune system, reproduction and meat quality.

For example, the daily requirement in pig feed was evaluated between 80 and 100 mg / kg. The average composition of zinc for ingredients of vegetable foods is 30 to 40 mg / kg so, to meet the needs of zinc in feed for pigs, it is necessary to include a dietary supplement that provides this trace element in accordance with the rules of the EU.

Last July, the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) published Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1095 on the authorization of different zinc compounds used as feed additives for all animal species.

Such additives belong to Group 3. Nutritional additives, functional group b) compounds of trace elements as provided for in Regulation (EC) Nº1831 / 2003 with the following identification number:

• Zinc acetate dehydrate, with the identification number 3b601
• Anhydrous zinc chloride, with the identification number 3b602
• Zinc oxide, with the identification number 3b603
• Zinc sulfate, heptahydrate with the identification number 3b604
• Zinc Sulfate, monohydrate with the identification number 3b605
• Zinc chelate, amino hydrated with the identification number 3b606
• Zinc chelate, protein hydrolysates with the identification number 3b612
• Zinc chelate, hydrate glycine (solid) with the identification number 3b607
• Zinc chelate, hydrate glycine (liquid) with the identification number 3b608

The new regulation approves the use of zinc additives in feed over a period of 10 years and amending Regulations (EC) 1334/2003, (EC) 479/2006, (EU) 335/2010 and Implementing Regulations ( EU) 991/2012 and (EU) 636/2013.

However, the new Regulation zinc levels for all animal species are diminished. The content of element (Zn) in mg / kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12% are fixed at a maximum of:

• Dogs and cats: 200 (total)
• Salmonid and milk replacers for calves: 180 (total)
• Piglets, sows, rabbits and all fish species except salmonid: 150 (total)
• Other species and categories: 120 (total)

For further information, please address your person of contact on customer assistance.