Reforms to BSE controls are hailed

The European Commission yesterday admitted significant changes could be made to its policy on dealing with BSE and other types of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) such as scrapie.

Industry last night welcomed the possibility of reforms, saying it could remove huge costs from the livestock sector. Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli indicated the likelihood of changes as he unveiled a document on the next phase in Europe’s so-called road map in dealing with TSEs.

He added: “The European Union has made great progress in its battle against BSE and we are finally on the brink of eradicating the disease within the union.”

He hinted reforms could come on specified risk material rules, saying European standards could be aligned with less demanding legislation used by the World Organisation for Animal Health elsewhere in the world.

Feed rules could also be altered to introduce tolerances for certain processed animal proteins to be fed to animals, although there will be return of mammalian meat and bone meal – the suspected cause of BSE – being given to cattle.

Mr Dalli recognised surveillance programmes for all TSEs could be changed and better targeted at older animals. However, he said any change must not risk human health.

NFU Scotland vice-president Nigel Miller said the suggested reforms had the potential to strip out significant costs, and allow BSE testing requirements for cattle to be increased from the current 48 months. Changes could also reduce the cost burden associated with the disposal of specified risk material.

Mr Miller said there may be an opportunity too to end the splitting of carcases of older sheep to remove spinal cords, a practice that has devalued product and created marketing problems.

MEP Alyn Smith said the EC’s reform proposals had been a long time coming. “Clearly, safety and public confidence are paramount, but it is clear to me that the science has moved on, so it is right that the regulations move on also. This document does represent a workmanlike and sensible approach, and I’m glad that it is moving forward.”