65,000 new BSE tests to keep T-bone
8 February 2001
65,000 new BSE tests to keep T-bone
Philip Clarke, Europe Editor
MINISTRY of agriculture vets will have to test up to 65,000 extra animals for BSE if UK butchers are to continue serving up T-bone steaks from next April.
The condition is attached to new Brussels legislation dealing with the removal of vertebral column in cattle, approved by EU vets last night.
While most member states are being told to take out the spines of animals over 12 months old in the battle against BSE, the UK has been granted an exemption.
The commission is satisfied with the UKs meat and bonemeal controls, and because the over-30-month scheme precludes all older animals from the food chain.
Exemptions have also been granted to Finland, Austria and Sweden, which have never had BSE, and to Portugal, which has had equally tight MBM controls since July 1999.
But Brussels is insisting on additional testing in the UK, to provide added reassurance with regard to BSE.
Specifically, the UK is being asked to carry out post-mortem tests on an estimated 65,000 animals born between 1 August, 1996 and 1 August, 1997 the year the MBM ban was fully enforced.
While these animals will not enter the food chain, the tests will provide invaluable epidemiological information, said the commission.
The UK authorities now have to decide whether this is worthwhile to maintain the sale of T-bone steaks.
Currently MAFF tests fewer than 10,000 a year, mostly fallen stock and casualty slaughter animals under a specific EU scheme.
To increase this to 65,000 would involve considerable hassle and cost at least 3m with only a limited contribution from EU coffers.
But the National Beef Association believes it is a price worth paying, for two reasons.
Firstly, the recovery in UK beef consumption is still a delicate one and to revert to a beef-on-the-bone ban albeit a partial one would send out confusing signals, chief executive, Robert Forster, told FWi.
Secondly, the decision recognises that the UK effectively has two herds one born before 1 August, 1996 and one born after.
It is likely that this second herd will have the lowest rate of BSE in any country in Europe, said Mr Forster.
If we can test another 65,000 animals and prove there are not even any sub-clinical cases entering the food chain, we may reap considerable benefits.