BSE - David Byrne Calls on German Authorities to Withdraw Products Containing Potentially Dangerous Materials from all EU and Third Country Markets

The Commission also required confirmation that any meat products which are identified by the German authorities as potentially containing materials which are a risk to health are urgently withdrawn from circulation not only in the Federal Republic but in export markets.

"My overriding concern is that consumers in other Member States are afforded an equal level of protection as consumers in Germany. If this cannot be achieved through the efforts of the Federal Authorities and the industries concerned, the Commission will be compelled to introduce a Community safeguard measure requiring the withdrawal of potentially contaminated products throughout the EU, " concluded David Byrne.

The Commission can confirm media reports that an inspection of the Food and Veterinary Office has taken place in Germany from 25th to 29th September 2000. The inspectors visited mainly the Länder of Bavaria and North Rhine Westfalia. A first draft was sent to the German authorities two days ago. The official version will be sent to the German authorities today for comments. The German authorities will be asked for an urgent reply. As soon as the replies of the German authorities have been inserted in the report, it will be made public and put on the Internet.

The inspection concentrated on EU-legislation which foresees

• epidemio-surveillance for BSE
• animal identification systems
• labelling of feeding stuffs comprising MMBM (mammalian meat and bone meal)
• prohibition to feed MMBM to ruminants

Preliminary findings and conclusions of the inspection were explained to the competent German authorities on the 29th of September during the final meeting in Bonn.

The findings of this report will now be discussed with the German authorities.