TP4 Metals in the Environment: Regulatory and Risk Concerns
Room 16A/B, Level 4
2:10 PM - 5:30 PM, Tuesday, 11 November 2003
Chair: McGeer, Jim ,
Co-chair: Dwyer, Bob ,
(277) Regulations and risks related to metals in fish feed.
Lundebye, A.-K.1, Berntssen, M.H.G.1, Julshamn, K.1, Stigebrandt, A.2, Ervik, A.3, Hansen, P.K.3, 1 National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, Bergen, Norway2 University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden3 Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
ABSTRACT- Regulations in the European Union for maximum permitted concentrations of metals in feed are based on Council Directive 1999/29/EC (for undesirable substances, e.g. arsenic and mercury) and Council Directive 70/524/EEC (for feed additives, e.g. copper and zinc). Increased public concern regarding issues related to food has brought attention to these regulations, which are under scrutiny by the European Commission, and the recently established European Food Safety Authority. Current maximum limits are being revised, and "new" substances considered "undesirable", are being included. Maximum permitted concentrations for dioxins (PCDD/F) in both feed and food were established in July 2002, and maximum limits are envisaged in the near future for dioxin-like PCBs (non-ortho and mono-ortho congeners assigned TEFs by the WHO). Research in the field of toxicology (related to animal health, food safety and the environment) forms the basis of the risk assessment performed prior to the establishment of maximum permitted concentrations of products and substances in feed. Data will be presented on the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of undesirable substances in fish feed. The environmental risk posed by substances in fish feed can be assessed by models such as the model used in the Norwegian regulatory system "MOM" (Modelling-Ongrowing fish farms-Monitoring), and will be demonstrated. The increased reliance on aquaculture to provide seafood is a global environmental challenge, which will require tools for risk assessment and management that are tailored to ensure sustainability.
Key words: risk assessment, metals, aquaculture