FSA Local Authority Letter (ENF/E/12/027), 18 September 2012

MEAT - Moratorium on the Production and Use of Desinewed Meat from Non Ruminant Bones and Poultry Carcasses in the United Kingdom

You may recall Sarah Appleby’s letter of 24 May [See UK News Item, 24 May 2012] regarding food businesses in your area that might be affected by the moratorium on the production of de-sinewed meat (DSM) from non ruminant bones and poultry carcases. The letter provided guidance1 on the requirements of the moratorium and explained that food businesses operators (FBOs) should be taking urgent action to comply with the European Commission’s interpretation of the legislation. We explained in the letter that the Agency is seeking full compliance by the end of the year at the latest.

It is now nearly 4 months since the moratorium was introduced, and we consider that it is an appropriate time to monitor how successful businesses have been in achieving compliance. This is important given the general Food and Veterinary Office follow-up mission to the UK in November during which the Agency is likely to be asked for an update on MSM compliance.

I would, therefore, be grateful if local authorities can report on compliance levels at each individual affected business, and also include the following points to be covered in their reports:

• Have all stocks of DSM, produced before the introduction of the moratorium but unused by 26 May has now been used up. If not, how much is left and what are the planned timescales for use?
• Are producers of non ruminant DSM now in compliance with the guidance i.e. DSM is only being produced by activities listed as being outside the scope of the moratorium as set out in the guidance?
• Is product described as DSM before the moratorium but now described as MSM being produced in full compliance with the hygiene requirements set out in 853/2004? Is it being correctly described on documentation and labels?
• What production processes have ceased as a result of the moratorium. Can this be quantified in terms of volume or value?
• What production processes have continued unchanged since the moratorium? Again can this be quantified?
• Have FBOs previously using DSM in their products successfully, re-formulated or re-labelled their products, or switched to alternative meat sources?
• What remains to be done for FBOs to be fully compliant? In what timescale is this likely to be achieved? Have FBOs been advised that formal enforcement action may be taken if full compliance is not achieved by the end of year?

Essentially these questions relate to the moratorium on pig and poultry DSM which was introduced on 26 May. It would also be helpful to have confirmation that all DSM production from ruminant bones has ceased.