Press Release: SSC adopts opinion on scientific justification of national BSE measures

On 29.11.00, the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), advising the European Commission on BSE related issues, adopted an opinion on the scientific justifications submitted by Italy, Spain, Austria and France for national measures to reduce the BSE risk. The Committee, in special session, examined the submissions at the request of the Commission, following the conclusions of the Agriculture Council of 20-21 November 2000. The scientists had previously predicted the recent increase in the reported incidence of BSE in France and Ireland, in its Geographical BSE Risk analysis in July 2000. This view has been confirmed by increased testing and improved surveillance. Import bans are not justified in the SSC view by the evidence submitted so far by the countries concerned. Effective implementation of the ban on meat-an-bone meal cattle feed, of sound rendering practices and removal of specified risk materials in importing and exporting countries would probably exclude the need for trade restrictions. Until this is achieved, some temporary trade restrictions might be justified. They should be based on assessments of the implementation of BSE risk management measures and of BSE risk in the Member States concerned. The SSC recommends a temporary ban on feeding MBM to all farmed animals and pets where a significant risk of cross-contamination of cattle feed with MBM possibly contaminated with the BSE agent is found. It recommends that Member States assess this risk nationally. The new French risk reduction measures, such as removal of vertebrae, bovine intestines and casings, are found to be scientifically justified in the French context.

• Primary Source

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/out150_en.pdf http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/out150_en.pdf

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