This year, our annual workshop will take place in Fribourg (Switzerland) from 7th May to 8th May 2019. Announcement has already been included in the December 2018 newsletter and official invitation to the network is now available on the intranet.

IT WAS ON 1 JULY 2006 THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION REFERENCE LABORATORY FOR ANIMAL PROTEINS IN FEEDINGSTUFFS (EURL-AP) STARTED OPERATING AT THE CRA-W.

Involved in the eradication of transmis­sible spongiform encephalopathies such as mad cow disease, The mission of the EURL-AP focuses on the detection and identification of pro­hibited animal proteins in livestock feed. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, a day dedicated to the topic of “Animal protein in feed, a solution towards autonomy and sustainability?” was organised on 22 September at the Palais des Congrès in Na­mur. This event provided the opportunity to evaluate the activities of the EURLAP but also to bring up the challenges and possibilities in this area. Various first-hand accounts helped to illustrate the interac­tions between the EURL-AP and the Euro­pean Commission and the 27 national reference laboratories, and with other stakeholders, particularly the agro-food industry, in order to achieve harmonious and effective monitoring of legislation. The presentations delivered that day can be viewed the links below.

Welcome – Gilbert Berben (EURL-AP Director, CRA-W)

Short overview of CRA-W – René Poismans (General Director, CRA-W)

The EU needs the EURL-AP : The EURL-AP support to official controls and economic growth – Eric Thévenard (DG Sante, EU Commission)

Ten years in a nutshell with some history and figures – Vincent Baeten (EURL-AP Deputy Director, CRA-W)

EURL-AP  and Italian NRL-AP: a long lasting relationship – Daniela Marchis (Head of the Italian NRL-AP)

Experience with methods for species detection and identification – Pieter Dercks (EFPRA, Darling Ingredients International)

Detection of processed animal proteins: Milestones towards fit-for-purpose methods – Christoph von Holst (JRC Geel, EU Commission)

Future of protein sourcing for feed use: promises and challenges for the EU feed industry – Arnaud Bouxin (Deputy Secretary General, FEFAC)

Opportunities and Constraints for Farming INSECTS to feed livestock and pet animals: a global overview – Paul Vantomme (FAO)

Lessons learned in Belgium : Their influence on our views of the future of animal products in feed – Christophe Keppens (Belgian Food Safety Agency)

Conclusions and acknowledgements – Pierre Dardenne (Head of Department, CRA-W)

This year the NRL network will meet from 21 until 23 April 2015 in Celbridge, Ireland. Participation for EU Member States is mandatory. Detailed information and agenda will be posted on the intranet. NRL members are asked to book these dates.

This year the NRL network will meet on the 21 and 22 May 2014 in Riga. Participation for EU Member States is mandatory. Detailed information and agenda will be posted on the intranet.

The short course will be hosted on 19-22 November 2013 by the Valorisation of Agricultural Products Department (Henseval building) of the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre (CRA-W) in Gembloux.