The results of recent analyses of the dioxin levels in fishmeals and fish oils originating from South America (Chile and Peru) and Europe, together with the maximum levels for these products and for compound aquafeeds proposed by the European Commission, are presented in Annex 3, Table 1. It is proposed that the EU maximum limits should apply until the end of 2005. Before then the limits will be reviewed, with the intention of reducing them (i.e. making the limits more stringent).
Table 1. Proposed EU maximum limits on dioxins in fishmeal, fish oil and aquafeeds and results of analyses of fishmeal and fish oil of South American and European origin (WHO TEQ)
COMMODITY |
PROPOSED EU MAXIMUM LIMITS[32] |
RESULTS OF SCAN ANALYSES[33] |
|||
|
|
Origin: South Pacific area (Chile, Peru) |
Origin: European area |
||
FISH OIL |
6 ng/kg fat |
Low |
0.16 ng/kg fat |
Low |
0.7 ng/kg fat |
|
|
Mean |
0.61 ng/kg fat |
Mean |
4.8 ng/kg fat |
|
|
High |
2.6 ng/kg fat |
High |
20 ng/kg/fat |
FISHMEAL |
1.25 ng/kg product (12% moisture basis) |
Low |
0.02 ng/kg product (dry matter basis) |
Low |
0.04 ng/kg product (dry matter basis) |
|
|
Mean |
0.14 ng/kg product (dry matter basis) |
Mean |
1.2 ng/kg product (dry matter basis) |
|
|
High |
0.25 ng/kg product (dry matter basis) |
High |
5.6 ng/kg product (dry matter basis) |
AQUAFEEDS |
2.25 ng/kg product (12% moisture basis) |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
|
|
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
|
|
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
[32] Source: Aquafeed News
(2001). [33] Source: SCAN (2000). |