Press Release: Commission adopts Decision to remove specified BSE risk materials from the feed and food chain

The Commission has adopted a Decision requiring all Member States to remove animal tissues which could present a BSE risk from the feed and food chain as of 1 October 2000. The final adoption of this key consumer health protection measure was made possible after a major breakthrough in the 19 June 2000 Agriculture Council where a majority of the Member States supported the measures. From October onwards all slaughterhouses, meat cutting and animal waste processing plants throughout the EU will have to work according to the new harmonized rules. Meat imports from third countries will be subject to similar requirements as of 1 April 2001, unless scientific assessment indicates such measures are not necessary.