Another bid for pan-EU
Another bid for pan-EU
rules on SRM removal
By Philip Clarke
A FRESH attempt is being made to introduce EU rules on the removal of specified risk materials (SRMs) from the human food chain.
Currently only a handful of countries insist on the destruction of cattle SRMs – including brain and spinal chord – with the UK operating the toughest regime.
Others, such as Germany and Austria, have no controls, claiming that since they have no recorded cases of BSE, their SRMs present no risk.
Previous attempts to introduce pan-European controls have consistently failed to win ministerial approval. "This issue is a rather complex matter and has its own long history," admits food safety commissioner, David Byrne.
The original EUCommission plan, drawn up in 1996, got nowhere because, as well as banning SRMs in food, it would have also affected a range of other products, from lipstick to tyres, leading to lost trade, unemployment and a possible legal challenge in the World Trade Organisation.
Member states with low or no risk of BSE have also resisted it because of the impact it would have on abattoir costs.
But the commission describes SRM removal as "the single most important public health protection measure where a BSE risk exists".
Risk categories
Its latest proposal involves putting member states into one of four different risk categories – BSE-free, potentially BSE-free, low incidence of BSE and high incidence of BSE. The range of SRM materials to be destroyed will depend on the ranking. Industrial, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products will not be affected.
"As yet we do not know what the exact criteria will be," says Peter Hardwick director of the Meat and Livestock Commissions Brussels office. "If it only considers the incidence of BSE, with no regard to the existing controls and surveillance measures, the UK could be isolated in the high risk category for a long time."
The proposal is intended as a temporary measure, until more general rules on controlling transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are passed by the European Parliament and farm council, late next year.
It will be considered by the Brussels standing veterinary committee next week. If the SVC fails to vote or reach a clear majority decision, the issue will pass to the next farm council on Dec 14.
Troubles likely
The legislation is due to take effect from Jan 1, 2000. But given the past problems of getting SRM controls approved, no one is assuming the latest version will have a trouble-free passage.