Brussels, 06/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - This Wednesday, the European Commission deliberated over additional measure to take in the fight against the infectious agent of BSE, in view of adopting a draft decision. The addition of the spinal column of bovines of a certain age and the meat mechanically separated from bovine bones of all ages to the list of specific risk materials banning their use in the animal and human food chain, as well as the high temperature and pressure treatment of animal fats derived from bovine tissues other than adipose tissue will be at the heart of the debate. European Commissioner for Health and Consumers, David Byrne's, spokesperson nevertheless added, on Tuesday, that he was not sure that the Commission adopts its proposal given that uncertainties remain over the place where the spinal column should be removed and the countries that could be exempted from this requirement in relation to the effectiveness of the risks management measures put in place. On the other hand, an agreement seem to have been reached on the possibility of enforcing the measure for the removal of the spinal column of bovines of more than twelve months.
In the hypothesis that the College agrees, the draft decision will be submitted, to the Standing Veterinary Committee, which gathers this Wednesday and should rule by qualified majority. The debate in the College will be started by the opinion given last 12 January by the EU Scientific Steering Committee on the safety of certain bovine tissues and animal sub-products (see EUROPE of 18 January, p.11) and with the conclusions of the last Agriculture Council (see EUROPE of 31 January, p.7).