FSA Press Release (2002/0241), 3 September 2002

BSE - Spinal cord found in imported French and German frozen beef

Spinal cord has been found in frozen beef imported from France and Germany 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.
It was confirmed by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) on 28 August that spinal cord was discovered in three quarter-carcasses of frozen French beef in a consignment of 180 sent to Great Harwood Food Products Ltd.

The receiving company was not responsible for the problem. The beef was consigned by OVIMPEX Daumeaup and the abattoir of origin was Ets Soviba Sud in Saint Maixent. This is the first French SRM breach.

The three beef quarters involved have been detained under the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations for disposal under the supervision of the MHS, ensuring that the carcass is immediately removed from the food chain. 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 France and the European Commission have been notified of this breach.

On 27 August spinal cord was discovered by the MHS in one quarter-carcass out of a consignment of 176 hindquarters of frozen German beef being unloaded at ADM (UK) Ltd, Eastbourne.

The receiving company was not responsible for the problem. The beef was consigned by Gausepohl-Fleisch GmbH in Dissen and the abattoir of origin was Moksel AG Buchloe.

This is the first case involving this particular plant in Germany.

The beef quarter involved has been detained under the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations for disposal under the supervision of the MHS and removed from the food chain. 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 Germany and the European Commission have been notified of this breach.

In testing for BSE in France, there were 35 positive tests out of 1,242,381 healthy animals tested between January and the end of May 2002. In Germany, 18 animals out of 1,234,394 healthy animals tested positive during the same period.