Feed monitoring; information

Flawless feed is a prerequisite for healthy animals and healthy food. For this reason, feed companies are monitored and feed is tested.

The monitoring of animal feed is a matter for the federal states. Official feed monitoring is a basic component of consumer health protection. The production and feeding of safe animal feed is a prerequisite for the production of safe and high-quality animal food. It is also crucial for animal health and welfare.

In Bavaria, the government of Upper Bavaria is responsible for enforcing the feed regulations. The government of Upper Bavaria performs the task of official feed monitoring centrally for all Bavarian administrative districts.

The main tasks of the government of Upper Bavaria are

• carrying out inspections at all levels of feed production and distribution
• evaluating the test results of feed samples
• initiating measures in the event of breaches of feed regulations,
• carrying out approval and registration procedures

Feed sampling is mainly carried out decentrally by the district administrative authorities. Between 2,500 and 3,000 official feed samples are taken in Bavaria every year.

The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) is the central specialist authority for food safety, health, veterinary matters and occupational health and safety/product safety. In the area of feed monitoring, the LGL is responsible for testing the samples and provides advice, in particular by preparing expert opinions and statements.

The highest supervisory authority for official feed monitoring in Bavaria is the State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection. This is where the requirements of the European Union and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture are implemented.
Another important task is the coordination of feed monitoring in Bavaria. There is close cooperation with the enforcement authority, the investigative and research institutions, customs and the judiciary.