EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Directorate C- Scientific Opinions C2- Management of scientific committees; scientific co-operation and networks Opinion of the Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition

Copper is authorised for all species under Directive 70/524/EEC concerning additives in feedingstuffs under the category trace elements, as presented in annex I. The Commission has the intention to review the maximum content of trace elements authorised in feedingstuffs in order to adapt these levels to the requirements and to minimise negative effects on the environment. In regard with these objectives, particular attention should be paid to the use of copper where negative effects on the environment have been described. 2. TERMS OF REFERENCE 2.1. For the various food producing animal species, what is the relation between the content in copper of the ration of the animal and the quantity of residual copper in tissues and organs? Do the residues resulting from the permitted conditions of use represent a risk for the consumer? 2.2. As regards pigs and calves, does the addition of compounds of copper to feedingstuffs involve significant effects on the growth rate of the animals o