Inquiry report on PCR use in aquafeed published

This report is a follow up on the use of the ruminant PCR test that enabled from 1st June 2013 on the reintroduction of non-ruminant processed animal proteins in feed for aquaculture. Due to a certain frequency of rapid alerts with respect to detection of ruminant DNA in aquafeed or feed material intended for aquafeed and the resulting complaints of the industrial sectors related to the activities of production of the by-products or production of aquafeed, it was checked if really the method gives rise to an abnormal rate of false positive results.

New release of Micrograph Collection : insects and hydrolysed feathers

70 new micrographs illustrating insect meals and helping you for hydrolysed feather meal detection.

Dear NRL and IAG colleagues,

The EURL-AP team is pleased to announce you that an upgrade of the EURL-AP micrograph collection has been realised.  The new release focus on insect meals from different species (Tenebrio molitor, Gryllus domesticus, Locusta migratoria, Alphitobius diaperinus,...) which are today the potential candidates for animal feeding.  The selection of micrographs illustrates the diversity of particles that can be found in such products.  In addition new pictures on the difficult detection of hydrolysed feather meals will certainly help you in identifiying such structures. Enjoy discovering this latest release !

EURL-AP PCR proficiency test 2014

Official announcement for the next EURL-AP Proficiency Test 2014 (PCR)

Dear NRL Colleagues,

Please find in attachement of this post the official announcement for the EURL-AP Proficiency Test 2014 (PCR) that will be organised in April.

In the announcement you will find the time schedule.

Best Regards,

Order now your calibration kits for ruminant detection by PCR

The first calibration kits for ruminant detection by PCR are released and available to your laboratory. They can be ordered by downloading the order form from the “Method of reference and SOPs” page on this website.  This first batch is being produced by the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre. Later on, around October 2013, this production and release will exclusively be taken over by the JRC-IRMM.

Release of the SAFEED-PAP book

Detection, identification and quantification of processed animal proteins in feedingstuffs.

This book edited in the framework of the SAFEED-PAP project aims to summarize the state of the art of the different issues regarding the detection, identification and quantification of processed animal proteins (PAP) in feedingstuffs. It has been written in such a way that it could be useful for the implementation of the discussed methods in the control and research laboratories. For each method discussed, a short description of the technique is given with references to other relevant books and websites useful to the reader to get more in depth. Special emphasis has been put on the rules and tricks that have to be respected for the correct application of the techniques for the analysis of processed animal proteins in feedingstuffs. The potential of each method (including the fit for purpose and the robustness) as well as future perspectives are discussed.

Read more for purchasing order…

EURL-AP Proficiency Test Microscopy 2012 : report available !

Dear NRL Colleagues,
In order to prepare our next annual workshop we are pleased to diffuse the report on the EURL-AP Proficiency Test Microscopy 2012. The report, in a working document version, will be presented and discussed during our workshop in Ljubljana. Enjoy the reading.
Best Regards,

Horsemeat fraud: The EURL-AP delivers a PCR method for the control campaign within the European Union

It is in the context of the EURL-AP main activity for the identification of the animal protein that this equine test had been developed by the team of the laboratory of molecular biology at the Walloon agricultural Research Center (CRA-W).

Considering the importance of the scandal, Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for health and consumer, has announced a campaign of 2250 DNA tests on all products containing beef within the Member States.  The test that has been selected by the European Commission and which is recommended to all European laboratories in charge of this campaign of tests is a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that was developed by the EURL-AP.

It is in the context of the EURL-AP main activity for the identification of the animal protein that this equine test had been developed by the team of the laboratory of molecular biology  at the Walloon Agricultural Research Center (CRA-W).  Premonition? Suspicion?  Nothing, it’s the simple benefit of a technological watch and of the development of alternative methods to ensure the origin of the species in animal feed. The result of this proactivity: a test specific for horses which could be put at the disposal of the control laboratories of the agri-food sector and official control authorities in less than two days!

More information on Legal Sources and SOPs webpage

Contacts: Gilbert Berben, Pascal Veys