1) What is fishmeal?
In animal feed stuffs fishmeal is used as a natural source of concentrated marine protein, of various kinds of health-conducive oils, and of vitamins and minerals. The proven advantages for animals fed with fishmeal are improved health, welfare and productivity.
2) What requirements does fishmeal have to meet regarding quality?
In addition to meeting national and international statutory requirements the fishmeal maintains a consistent quality regarding:
- processing of the raw materials
- composition of the contents
- health controls.
3) Is the production of fishmeal compatible with the world-wide demand for conservation of fish populations?
The fish populations of the Pacific Ocean along the west coast of South America, in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and the waters around Iceland, where fish for the production of fishmeal are caught, are constantly and carefully measured and observed by monitoring programmes under the direction of independent scientists in order to avoid overfishing.
4) Do salmonella in fishmeal constitute a health hazard?
Because of its high protein content the natural product fishmeal can sometimes be a breeding ground for salmonella which is found all over the world. However, its very low moisture content prevents the salmonella from spreading. But even the best hygienic conditions during fishing, production, transport and storage are not a 100 per cent protection against bacteria. Fishmeal is under persistent observance and constantly tested on salmonella. In case of a positive result, the whole lot is sterilised and only "salmonella-free" declared fishmeal is allowed to be imported into the EU.
5) Can fishmeal substitute for antibiotics in animal feed stuffs?
It is scientifically proven that the feeding of fishmeal with its balanced contents of Omega-3-Fatty Acids, can contribute to reducing infections and inflammations and to improving the immune system of animals, consequently the prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal feeds becomes redundant.
6) How does pollution of the seas through industrial waste water – taking dioxins for example – affect the product fishmeal?
Extensive studies of fish and the product fishmeal show that fishmeal from fish caught in the Pacific Ocean has only minimal concentration of dioxin. More than 90 per cent of the fishmeal is made of fish from the clean waters of the Pacific coast of South America and is virtually free of such contamination.
7) What are dioxins?
Dioxins are a group of polychlorinated aromatic compounds with similar structures and similar chemical and physical properties. They are not intentionally produced, but develop as a by-product of chemical reactions which cover the whole spectrum of natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires, and man-made processes such as the production of chemicals, pesticides, steel or paints, the bleaching of cellulose and pulp or waste gas emissions and refuse incineration.
8) Is the high content of Omega-3-Fatty Acids in fishmeal of any significance?
Fishmeal contains 6 to 10 per cent of fat; this is very rich in the health-giving, polyunsaturated Omega-3-Fatty Acids EPA and DHA. These natural contents of fishmeal have health-giving properties which are not to be found in any other component of feed stuffs.