IP/05/952
Brussels, 15 July 2005
Commission outlines next steps on
BSE
The European Commission today adopted a reflection paper, the TSE
Roadmap, providing an outline of possible future changes to EU measures on BSE
in the short, medium and long-term. TSEs are transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies, namely BSE affecting cattle and scrapie affecting goats and
sheep. Over the past few years, there has been a significant decrease in the
number of positive cases of BSE detected in the EU, due to the stringent risk
reducing measures at EU-level. In light of this positive trend, and new
developments in science and technology, the TSE Roadmap considers possible
amendments to certain BSE measures currently in place while still making food
safety and consumer protection the highest priority.
Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said,
“The EU has made great strides in its battle against BSE and the
consistent fall in the number of cases is testament to the strong, comprehensive
EU measures put in place to tackle this disease. The Commission has at no point
stopped monitoring or reacting to the challenge of BSE and this Roadmap is a
response to the improved situation and positive developments. Rest assured,
however, that any adaptations made to the BSE measures will not affect in any
way our fundamental objectives of BSE eradication and the protection of the EU
citizen. These have always been, and will continue to be, the first
consideration.”
The TSE Roadmap is a reflection paper looking at the next steps that could be
taken with regard to BSE. It provides an overview of possible future amendments
that could be taken on issues such as the removal of Specified Risk Material
(SRM), the feed ban, the culling policy and monitoring programmes. The Roadmap
will be used as a basis for discussion with Member States, the European
Parliament and other stakeholders.
A review of the age limit for the removal of certain SRM may be envisaged
based on data from BSE surveillance and supported by scientific advice. With
regard to the total ban on processed animal protein in feed, which was
introduced in 1994 and extended in 2001, certain measures could also be reviewed
once specific criteria are met and it is scientifically shown that this would
not jeopardise current eradication measures.
The TSE Roadmap considers a review of current regimes for testing animals for
TSE, possibly with a more targeted approach. It also suggests that alternatives
could be sought for the immediate slaughter of the whole cohort when one case of
BSE is detected, to avoid the social and economic damage of mass culling. In the
longer term, the Roadmap proposes that the situation should be re-examined in
light of the new measures introduced in the short to medium term, and evolving
scientific knowledge.
See also MEMO/05/263.
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