Standing veterinary committee wants more BSE testing
The Member States have expressed broad support for a Commission proposal to enlarge testing for BSE cases to all cattle above a certain age in the EU, reports the Community's Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC). In turn, the SVC is in favour of beginning tests on all animals falling into a risk group (emergency slaughters, animals showing neurological signs, and animals being sick) from 1 January 2001, although a final decision is yet to be made. 'The extension would enlarge the already agreed testing programme due to start on 1st January 2001 from a percentage of fallen stock to all bovine animals posing an increased risk of BSE,' says the Commission. 'This will be a major step forward to further increase the safety of food and to enhance transparency, since all risk animals will be tested.' Discussions on the subject will continue at the Agriculture Council on 20 and 21 November.