This morning, in the Council, Poland proposed to accelerate the legislative process in order to allow the use of processed animal protein in feed poultry and pigs. I think it is useful to reiterate Italy's position on this point: it is an extremely sensitive topic not only from the political point of view, but also for its impact on food production in the European Union and the impact it has on public opinion. Therefore be a serious reflection on this issue must be carried out before any course of action can be taken. Each new proposal must be based on sound scientific criteria. Do not forget that it was the improper use of protein derived from animals and then used as feed the main cause of the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as mad cow disease, which created enormous damage, including economic, for the entire European Union animal husbandry." This declared the Minister of Agricultural Food and Forestry Policies, Giancarlo Galan, on the sidelines of the Council of EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries which was held the 21 February in Brussels.