Commission Midday Express, 28 September 2005
The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office today published a report regarding its inspection of 6-15 June 2005 concerning protective measures against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom (see: EUROPA - Food and Veterinary Office - Introduction). In particular, the inspection evaluated the measures put in place by the UK authorities, and their application, to give effect to EU rules in force for the prevention, control and eradication of certain Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs). These measures concern both active and passive surveillance of BSE, the removal and handling of Specified Risk Material (SRM), the ban on feeding processed animal proteins to farmed animals, and exceptions applicable to this total feed ban; and the system for identification and registration of bovine animals. Overall, the report concludes that satisfactory progress was noted in most areas. In particular, enhancements in the databases, monitoring of sampling and supervision of BSE epidemio-surveillance allow demonstration of how many animals are effectively tested; progress regarding dead on-farm animals must be maintained. In light of the report, Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said : "This favourable report means that the two conditions which the European Commission set out in its TSE Road Map for discussions to begin with Member States on lifting the embargo on British beef have now been met."
For report (pdf format), go to: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fvo/act_getPDF.cfm?PDF_ID=4758