Age limit for BSE testing to be lowered still further?
Speaking to the European Parliament on 23 January, David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection questioned whether the age limit of cattle for BSE testing should be reduced from the current requirement of 30 months. The tests have already confirmed, in a matter of weeks, several Member States' complacency in their insistence that they were BSE-free, said Mr Byrne, who added that the tests over the next few weeks will be crucial in revealing the extent of BSE. 'The discovery of BSE in such young animals also raises the question of whether the age limit for testing for BSE should be reduced from the current requirement of 30 months. While it remains that cases of BSE are overwhelmingly in older animals (over 99 per cent of cases are over 30 months) we must aim to ensure that as few infected animals as possible enter the food chain. It is certainly necessary in Member States where there are weaknesses in the past implementation of the ban on meat and bone meal,' continued the Commissioner. Mr Byrne referred to a questionnaire on implementation, which has been issued to each Member State. Replies to the survey were discussed by the Standing Veterinary Committee on 23 January, and will also be discussed at a meeting of the Chief Veterinary Officers, which is to take place in Sweden very shortly. Referring to the Commission's role in the BSE crisis, Mr Byrne insisted that 'the Commission, in its risk management role, will have to respond to [the Scientific Steering Committee opinion] in a manner which is both responsible and proportionate. In the present circumstances, this is not an easy task. I am urgently reviewing our options in this respect,' said Commissioner Byrne.