Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety of feedingstuffs with high calcium content for the reduction of risk of milk fever in dairy cows

Milk fever (also called parturient paresis or parturient hypocalcemia) is one of the production diseases which primarily occur among older high yielding dairy cows during the period around calving. The increased demand for calcium (Ca) at parturition due to the onset of lactation may result in a Ca deficiency potentially provoking the outbreak of milk fever in dairy cows. The FEEDAP Panel concludes that oral Ca treatment around parturition can be very effective in treating mild cases of hypocalcemia and in preventing relapses in dairy cattle. The first administration of Ca should be at signs of parturition and then should be limited to two days after parturition (a total of three days). Marginal risk of this complementary feed use cannot be completely excluded, but the individual risk should be balanced against the overall benefits of treatment. Due to the strong hormonally regulated homeostasis of plasma Ca, an increase of plasma Ca above the physiological range is not expected in the cow. Thus the Ca in edible tissues and milk will not be affected. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel does not expect any risk for the consumer. In relation to the total yearly intake of Ca, the effect of the administration of additional Ca for the prevention of the risk of milk fever is considered negligible and not to pose any additional risk for the environment. The FEEDAP Panel recommends modifying the proposed regulation for the introduction of a new principle in Directive 94/39/EC concerning the prevention of the risk of milk fever.