NR AUXU
AU anonym
AK Editorial team (eurosurveillance.weekly@hpa.org.uk), Eurosurveillance editorial office
TI European Food Safety Agency proposes increase in cattle age for removal of SRM
QU Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen sur les Maladies Transmissibles = European Communicable Disease Bulletin 2005 Jun 2; 10(6): E050602.4
IA http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ew/2005/050602.asp#4
PT journal article
VT
The age at which specified risk materials (SRM, tissue such as brain and spinal cord) are removed from cattle slaughtered for food was set at 12 months in all European Union (EU) member states (except for the United Kingdom) in 2000. This measure was designed to protect consumers of beef from the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) [1,2].
New information supplied by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), surveillance data and scientific research was recently considered by members of the European Food Safety Authority Biological Hazards Panel. Based on this evidence and a review of previous discussions, the panel recognised that the bovine central nervous system is unlikely to become infectious until an infected animal is considerably older than 12 months. [3].
The average age of cattle with BSE in the EU has increased between 2001 and 2004, from 86 months to 108. Only 4 cases in cattle under 35 months have been reported since 2001. The lowest age of animals with BSE rose from 28 to 42 months between 2001-4.
From pathogenesis studies of infectivity distribution throughout the incubation period, and the earliest age of clinical manifestation, it was concluded that a bovine central nervous system would not become infectious until at least 26 months of age, as it appears that only during the last quarter of the incubation period does the disease become detectable.
The panel concluded that setting the age for SRM removal at 21 months would allow a reasonable safety margin. Based on this opinion, the European Commission will consider whether changes to the existing legislation should be proposed. There is currently no scientific basis for raising the age limit for bovine tonsil and intestine.
References:
1. Official Journal of the European Communities. Commission Decision of 29 June 2000 regulating the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and amending Decision 94/474/EC. L158/76. 30 June 2000. (http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/oj/00418ec.pdf)
2. Chalus T, Peutz I. BSE : the European regulatory context. Euro Surveill 2000; 5(10): 107-12 (http://www.eurosurveillance.org/em/v05n10/0510-223.asp)
3. European Food Safety Authority. EFSA provides new scientific assessment on the age limit for the removal of specified risk materials from cattle with regard to BSE. Press release. 26 May 2005. (http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/biohaz/biohaz_opinions/938_en.html)
MH Animals; Cattle; Encephalopathy, Bovine Spongiform/*prevention & control/transmission; European Union/*organization & administration; Food Contamination/legislation & jurisprudence/*prevention & control; Food Handling/*standards; Food-Processing Industry/standards; *Guidelines; Meat/*standards; Prion Diseases/*prevention & control/transmission; Risk Assessment/methods; Risk Factors
SP englisch
PO Frankreich