The rules on the use of animal remains in animal feed came following the discovery that mad cow disease in the 1990s probably originated from scrapie-infected sheep and had transmitted to humans as Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease. Since then, waste meat and bone has been used to make fertiliser, petfood and fuel. But it would have more value as so-called Processed Animal Protein (PAP), in livestock feed. PAP would cut both the economic and the environmental cost of European farming, by displacing imports of vegetable protein. And Members of the European Parliament have been impressed by scientific argument that says not all the precautions are necessary. A vote in August paved the way for a review which might allow some PAP use – in effect, chicken scraps for pigs; pig scraps for chickens; and either for fish. The review would also cover the rules on which animals must have their spinal tissue removed at slaughter before being allowed into the human food chain. The food industry is cautious about consumer reaction but wants as many options as possible.