At-risk parts found in imported beef

Related tags European union

Spinal cord has been found in beef imported from The Netherlands
into the UK. Bovine spinal cord is classified as specified risk
material (SRM).

For the second time this month, spinal cord has been found in beef imported from The Netherlands into the UK. Bovine spinal cord is classified as specified risk material (SRM) and is therefore among those parts of the animal most likely to contain BSE infectivity. Under European law, SRM must be removed immediately after slaughter, stained, and disposed of safely. The discovery was made last week in four out of 236 quarters of beef being unloaded at ADM, Eastbourne. The receiving company was not responsible for the problem. The beef came from Exportslachterij J. Gosschalk en Zn. BV, of Oenerweg, Epe, in The Netherlands. The beef involved has been detained under the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations pending possible inspection by the Dutch authorities, and subsequent disposal under the supervision of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS). The rest of the consignment was checked by the MHS and found to be in full compliance with the relevant legislation. The Chief Veterinary Officer of The Netherlands and the European Commission have been notified of this breach. The name of the Dutch abattoir concerned will be added to the list of European abattoirs from which beef containing spinal cord has been imported into the UK. While SRM is among those parts of the animal most likely to contain BSE infectivity, the results so far of BSE tests conducted on healthy cattle across the EU have been described as encouraging, tending to indicate that there is no massive, hidden BSE epidemic in Europe. In The Netherlands there were only two positive tests out of 159,546 animals tested between January and the end of June 2001.

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