Press Release: Byrne and Fischler proposing BSE-test for all older cattle in the EU

In the context of cases of BSE in France during the latter half of 2000, Commissioner David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection and Franz Fischler, European Commissioner for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, insisted on as much transparency as possible on the extent of BSE in the European cattle population. The European Commission would be proposing to Member States that they put in place a comprehensive BSE-testing of all bovine animals above a certain age. These tests would serve as an extra guarantee to consumers regarding the safety of the beef consumed and would complement the existing stringent protection standards in place. The method of putting the programme into practice would be discussed in the Standing Veterinary Committee which would meet on 15.11.00 and in the Agriculture Council on 20.11.00.

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