The following items were discussed:

Future of Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) – as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the FSA has been reviewing the structure of its SACs to ensure that the FSA will be able to access the independent expert advice to meet its needs after the UK leaves the EU.  An official from the FSA provided an overview on this work and sought comments from ACAF members.  ACAF Members were generally positive on the proposals outlined with the majority volunteering to assist the FSA in any way it wished.

Feed Additives and Over-supplementation– the Committee has discussed on several occasions optimum ways to communicate with the feed industry and emphasise the importance of compliance with maximum permitted levels set for trace elements in feedstuffs. At the October 2017 meeting, Members agreed that a Working Group would be convened and report on the outcomes of its work on a regular basis.  The Chairman of the Working Group reported on a meeting of the working group held in October 2018.  As an outcome of this meeting Dr Mark Bond (ACAF Secretariat) had produced a draft literature review which sub-group members highly commended and will discuss at the next sub-group meeting scheduled in April/May 2019.  The Sub-group Chairman confirmed that for the June 2019 ACAF meeting an executive summary report will be prepared for comment.  Members were grateful for the update.

Raw pet food –  the raw pet food sector is a rapidly growing industry in the EU and UK.  At its June 2018 meeting, Members were invited to comment on a guide that was presented by an official from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.  Members were invited to comment on a further revision of the guide which took account of most of the comments previously raised by Members.  Some Members continued to have concerns on the comprehensiveness of the guidance document, which will be further pursued.

After the close of the meeting, delegates were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Committee.

The date of the next ACAF meeting is to be confirmed

Notes for Editors

1. ACAF is a UK-wide advisory committee made up of independent experts from wide-ranging backgrounds including consumer affairs, farming, science and the feed industry. Members are appointed for their individual expertise and experience and are not representative of any organisation. Details of current membership can be found on ACAF's website:

http://acaf.food.gov.uk//

ACAF’s terms of reference are:

2. 'To advise the Food Standards Agency, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministers of the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly on the safety and use of animal feeds and feeding practices, with particular emphasis on protecting human health and with reference to new technical developments. In carrying out its functions, the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs will liaise with other relevant advisory committees as appropriate.'

3. Copies of most committee papers, including minutes of meetings, are available on request from the ACAF Secretariat, Floor 6, Clive House, 70 Petty France, London, SW1H 9EX. Tel: 0207 276 8468 email: acaf@food.gov.uk. They are also available on the ACAF website.

ACAF.food.gov.uk

4. Further information is available from the Committee Secretariat at the above address, or on the website.

Issued by

ACAF Secretariat

Floor 6

Clive House

70 Petty France

London, SW1H 9EX

Telephone: 020 7276 8468

Email: acaf@food.gov.uk