The NPA explains that to protect consumers, EFSA has proposed new maximum levels of vitamin A in animal feed.

The revised maximum levels (IU vitamin A per kg) suggested by the agency are as follows: piglets, 16,000; fattening pigs 6,500; gestating sows, 12,000 and lactating sows, 7,000.

NPA has consulted experts within its membership (nutritionists, scientists and vets) on vitamin A levels required for each growth stage in pigs. The consensus view is as follows (IU vitamin A per kg):

• Young piglets (up to 20 kg): 10,000–15,000
• Early growers (20-30 kg): 10,000–12,000
• Growers (30-50 kg): 7,500–10,000
• Finishers (50-100 kg): 7,500–10,000
• Gestating sows: 8,000–10,000, and
• Lactating sows 10,000-12,000.

"There are some significant disparities between what is proposed and what is applied in commercial practice," wrote NPA's Dr Zoe Davies in a letter to the European Commission's health and consumer department.

"In particular grower/finisher pigs and lactating sows might experience sub-optimal bone growth and calcium metabolism if the new levels were applied over a long period."

She is calling on Brussels to carry out a more rigorous review of vitamin A levels, using recent studies to identify gaps in knowledge and to ascertain the true vitamin A requirements of modern pig genotypes.