FSA Press Release (2002/0261), 24 October 2002
Spinal cord has been found in German beef imported into the UK from the Netherlands. 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, made during an inspection by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) on 22 October, involved one hindquarter carcass out of a consignment of 179 beef quarters being unloaded at ADM (UK) Ltd, Eastbourne. The receiving company was not responsible for the problem. We understand the animal was slaughtered in Sudfleisch GmbH, Waldkraiburg, Bayern on 15 January 2001. The meat had been held in an intervention cold store in the Netherlands since then. This is the fourteenth case of SRM in imported German beef. This is also the sixth case (five of them German) of SRM being found in imported intervention beef in the last two months.
The Food Standards Agency took up the issue of SRM in ex-intervention beef with the European Commission earlier this month. As a result the Commission has instructed all EU Member States selling intervention beef to ensure that all spinal cord is removed before release.
The beef quarter involved in this latest case has been detained under the Products
of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations for disposal under the supervision
of the 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 Germany and the European Commission have been notified of this breach. A
separate letter has also been sent to the Dutch CVO as this is the second incident
involving a coldstore in the Netherlands.
The following additional notes are provided: