Brussels, 14/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) that advises the European Commission on matters including bovine spongiform encephalopathy, has published two new opinions, the gist of which is outlined below.
The scientists adopted an opinion on the safety of cattle materials used in medical devices and medicinal products originating from countries where it is highly unlikely that BSE is present (classified as Geographical BSE Risk level 1). They consider that cattle materials sourced from these countries are safe for the manufacture of medical devices and products provided basic precautions such as ante- and post mortem inspection of animals at slaughter and proper animal identification and tracing rules are respected.
The SSC is also publishing a preliminary opinion open for public consultation and comment on the risk presented by certain stunning methods used to slaughter cattle. Subject to confirmation of the very few available data, these methods may under certain conditions pose a risk of dissemination of brain particles into the blood, lungs and heart of the slaughtered animal. The SSC invites comments to be sent in before 26 October 2001 in order to adopt the opinion at its meeting in December 2001.
The full text of the opinions is available at:
http: //europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/ssc/outcome_en.html#opinions