Brussels, 18/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - After its last meeting last week, the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) concluded that there was no additional or new evidence justifying the possible inclusion of sheep casings in the list of specified risk materials (SRM) that must be withdrawn from the food chain, although the French authorities are preparing to take national precautionary measures. Commissioner David Byrne will speak on the matter at the Agriculture Council next Monday in order to know what the position of Member States is before possibly presenting a proposal.
European scientists consider it is pointless for now to make it compulsory to remove sheep casings from the food chain as there is no proof that BSE is present among small ruminants. The SSC nonetheless confirmed that, should the presence of BSE in sheep become probable or proven, the whole approach towards SRMs in small ruminants would have to be revised. The possible additional inclusion in the list of SRMs of intestines, lymph nodes, blood and peripheral nerves would then have to be considered, the experts say.
The SSC also adopted three opinions on the geographical risk of BSE for Israel, Malta and Slovenia. In these countries, the risk is considered likely but not confirmed.