Vets reject pan-EU SRM controls
8 June 2000
Vets reject pan-EU SRM controls
By Philip Clarke
EUROPEAN vets have failed to back a commission proposal for pan-European controls on ruminant specified risk materials.
Continuing problems with the speed with which the tougher new rules would be introduced proved a stumbling block at their meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (June 7).
The fact that the controls would not apply to imported beef and sheepmeat was another factors behind the rejection.
This is despite the fact that the commission has stressed repeatedly that the destruction of SRMs is one of the most important measures needed to control BSE.
It also follows a report from the EUs top scientists casting serious doubt on many countries claims to be BSE-free, (News, June 2).
Currently only about half the EUs 15 member states remove their SRMs.
The commission has suggested making this compulsory for all, but with the UK and Portugal having to destroy a longer list of products due to their higher BSE risk status.
Without the approval of the vets, the proposal will have to go to the next meeting of EU farm ministers, being held in Luxembourg on June 19.
The commissions plan is intended as a “stop-gap” measure, until a more detailed regulation on the control of transmittable spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) is cleared by the European parliament and agriculture council, possibly next year.