Call for end of OTMS for born after animals
Call for end of OTMS for born after animals
FARM leaders are expected to push for the complete removal of the over 30-month rule for animals born after a certain date, during the Food Standards Agencys review of the control.
The food safety watchdog announced a review of the OTMS, which removes prime cattle older than 30 months from the food chain, on Tuesday (May 7).
The review, expected to take a year, will consider whether any changes to the rule can be made without increasing the risk to public health from BSE. It will take into account the overall decline in the disease in the UK over recent years. During 2001, 795 cases of BSE were detected in the UK, compared with 37,056 in 1992.
Lift limit completely
Robert Forster, chief executive of the National Beef Association, said rather than raise the age limit he would be looking for the government to lift it completely for cattle born, for example, after Jan 1, 1999.
"We are of the view that there should be a born after date. Any animal born after the nominated date can enter the food chain irrespective of age," he said.
Stephen Rossides, head of the NFUs food, health and science department, said factors to be considered were the scientific evidence available, public perception, whether there was a market for extra meat and what extra BSE testing procedures would be needed as a result of the move.
But if these questions could be answered satisfactorily, the NFU favoured removing the rule, he said. "We are not for a creeping age rule as that is confusing. We need a simple kind of system."
A spokesman for NFU Scotland said it would consult with members to establish its view. *