Statement on technical assistance related to the EFSA opinion on transformation of Animal By-Products into biogas and compost

EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) was asked by the European Commission to clarify i) whether additional testing for Clostridium perfringens of the end product obtained from biogas and compost transformation of Animal By-Products (ABPs) would respond to the concerns expressed in the EFSA 2005 opinion on "the safety vis-à-vis biological risks of biogas and compost treatment standards of animal by-products" and, should this was not be the case, ii) to indicate if additional testing, according to the model of method 7 of the ABP Regulation, for another pathogen than Clostridium perfringens would respond to the recommendations laid down in the above mentioned opinion. Considering that digestion residues and compost are intended to be applied on land, that land naturally contains bacterial spores and that Clostridium perfringens is ubiquitous, the BIOHAZ Panel concluded that the absence of Clostridium perfringens is not necessary. The BIOHAZ Panel also concluded that end product testing does not respond to the recommendations given in the previous EFSA opinion, which concerns the validation of the efficacy of a process.