Using plant-processing wastes, reject fruit and vegetables and other food wastes as livestock feed may seem to be a practical and economic way of using or disposing of such materials. However, people producing stock or animal products intended for human consumption should be aware that feeding any material that has not been produced specifically for use as stock feed can cause unacceptable chemical residues in animal products.

Quality control systems are essential to ensure that any materials fed to stock, and the final livestock products, meet stringent residue standards. There are also legal restrictions on the materials that may be fed to certain livestock, including any ruminant animal (cattle, sheep, goats etc.), and to pigs. These laws aim to prevent the development and/or spread of several serious animal diseases.

This Primefact looks at:

• residue risks;
• chemical residue risk assessments;
• marketing implications of feeding wastes;
• livestock feeds - prohibited substances;
• residue testing services.