Since June 2023, the Federal Office for Food Safety (BAES) has been carrying out increased inspections of feed imports from Ukraine. As part of the feed inspection, specific tests are carried out for residues of pesticide active ingredients, any contamination with pathogens (e.g. salmonella) or heavy metals as well as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). No abnormalities have been identified to date.
Three quality assurance channels are used to ensure that feed is placed on the market in Austria in compliance with EU standards: the obligation of feed companies to carry out regular self-inspections in accordance with Section 18 (4) and (5) of the Austrian Feed Act, official feed inspections (risk-based control plan) and notifications from other EU countries via the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).
Imports of feed of plant origin from non-EU countries (so-called "third country imports") must be registered with the BAES in accordance with Section 11 of the Feedstuffs Act.
Feed that comes to Austria from other EU countries is intra-Community trade and is not designated as imports. It should be noted here that it is basically up to each importer whether they clear the feed at the EU's external border or in a country of destination.
Third country imports are cleared through customs in Austria. In addition to customs clearance, all transport documents and documents for the identification of the goods must be submitted for release under feed law.
After checking the specification, labeling (declaration, bag tag) and the recipe (for compound feed), the BAES issues a confirmation that the feed can be placed on the market in Austria in accordance with feed legislation.
The supervisory bodies of the BAES also specifically search for straight feedingstuffs imported from third countries during official inspections of feedingstuffs.
In addition, company inspections and investigations are carried out on an ongoing basis in accordance with the risk-based sampling plan as part of official feed inspections.