Ergot alkaloids in feed: what manufacturers and livestock farmers must do in 2026

Key data

Feed manufacturers and livestock farms throughout the EU have a clear signal: ergot alkaloids in raw materials and compound feeds are entering the European regulatory radar. The Recommendation (EU) 2026/1243, published on 15 June 2026, does not impose direct sanctions today, but establishes the technical and sampling framework that is likely to become a legal obligation in the coming years.

The fungus Claviceps purpurea—known as ergot—mainly contaminates cereals and produces alkaloids such as ergotamine, capable of causing ergotism in animals: a pathology that directly affects animal welfare and farm productivity. The recommendation responds to the need for harmonized data across the EU before setting legally binding maximum limits.

What does this regulation establish?

Recommendation (EU) 2026/1243 establishes concrete guidance in three areas:

It is essential to understand the legal status of this rule: it is not binding. It does not establish direct sanctions or legally binding maximum limits at this time. However, its function is twofold: to collect harmonized data across the EU and to lay the technical foundations for future mandatory regulation. Furthermore, it can directly influence official audits and controls today.

Economic and operational impact

Although the recommendation does not impose direct costs through sanctions, it does generate real operational impact for companies in the sector:

• Review of quality control protocols: Companies will need to assess whether their current raw material analysis systems include detection of ergot alkaloids and, if not, incorporate the recommended analytical methods.
• Increased sampling frequency: The recommendation guides toward systematic controls, which may mean a greater number of analyses per batch or per cereal campaign.
• Cereal traceability: Livestock farms and manufacturers will need to strengthen documentation on the origin and controls of cereals used as raw materials.
• Risk before authorities: If damage to animals from ergotism is detected and the company cannot demonstrate controls aligned with the recommendation, it may result in liability before the competent authorities.
• Preparation for binding regulation: Companies that adapt now will have a competitive advantage when the rule becomes mandatory, avoiding costs of urgent adaptation.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers: Must review their raw material analysis protocols, especially cereals, and incorporate ergot alkaloid controls.
• Livestock farms: Those that produce or manage their own feeds must adapt their traceability and quality control systems.
• Raw material suppliers (cereals): May receive additional requirements from their feed manufacturer customers to demonstrate absence or acceptable levels of contamination.
• Food control authorities: Must incorporate the criteria of the recommendation into their inspection and audit protocols for the sector.
• Sector analysis laboratories: Foreseeable increase in demand for ergot alkaloid analysis in feed and cereal samples.

Practical example

A compound feed manufacturer for pigs that uses wheat and rye as main raw materials receives a batch of cereal at its plant. Currently, its raw material intake protocol includes analysis of classic mycotoxins (aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol), but does not contemplate specific detection of ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine.

With Recommendation (EU) 2026/1243 in force, this manufacturer should:

1. Incorporate into its sampling protocol the detection of ergot alkaloids using the analytical methods recommended by the Commission.
2. Compare the results obtained with the indicative reference levels established in the recommendation.
3. Document the controls performed to be able to demonstrate them before an official inspection.

If in a subsequent inspection ergotism were detected in animals fed with its feeds and the manufacturer could not demonstrate having followed the guidance of the recommendation, it would be exposed to liability before the competent authorities, even though today there are no direct sanctions typified for non-compliance with this recommendation.

What should companies do now?

1. Audit current raw material analysis protocols: Verify whether control systems include detection of ergot alkaloids (ergotamine and others) in cereals. If not, this is the first step to correct.
2. Incorporate the recommended analytical methods: Contact your usual analysis laboratory to confirm that it has the specific methods indicated in the recommendation and adjust service contracts if necessary.
3. Review sampling frequency: Adjust the raw material sampling plan (especially cereals) to include systematic controls of ergot alkaloids according to the guidance of the recommendation.
4. Strengthen documentary traceability: Ensure that each batch of cereal received is documented with its analytical results, so that it can be demonstrated before an audit or official inspection.
5. Communicate with cereal suppliers: Inform raw material suppliers of the new control requirements so they also adapt their documentation and, if necessary, their own analyses.
6. Prepare for binding regulation: Treat this recommendation as a preview of a future mandatory rule. Companies that adapt their systems now will avoid costs of urgent adaptation when binding regulation arrives.

Official source

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601243