Brussels, 09/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - Following the discovery of the remains of vertebral columns in beef products exported by Germany to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Commissioner David Byrne has written to the German authorities asking them to tighten controls to ensure the full respect of Community anti-mad cow legislation, which already prescribes part of the vertebral column of cattle as specified risk material banned from the food chain since October 2000. David Byrne's spokesperson stipulated that it was a call to order for the German authorities that must monitor practices in force in abattoirs and ensure that the personnel is correctly trained for the required operations.
EUROPE recalls that after the discovery of the first cases of mad cow in Germany, the German authorities had assured all Member states and the Commission that exported beef products would have the same safety guarantees as beef offered for consumption on the domestic market (see EUROPE of 6 January, p.50.