Brussels, 17/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - In line with the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Commission has decided to approve seven new rapid screening tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The number of tests available to monitor the disease in the EU thus rises to twelve, which will help to improve competition in this field, the Commission notes.
The seven newly-approved tests are: -CediTect BSE; -version 2.0 of the Enfer TSE (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies) Kit; -IDEXX HerdChek BSE Antigen Test Kit (EIA); -Institut Pourquier Speed'it BSE; -Prionics Check PrioSTRIP; -Roboscreen Beta Prion BSE EIA Test Kit; -Roche Applied Science PrionScreen. The five other tests which had already been approved are: -Bio-Rad TeSeE; -Prionics AG Check LIA; -Prionics-Check Western; -Enfer; InPro CDI-5.
Since 1 January 2001, BSE screening must be carried out quickly on animals slaughtered as a matter of urgency or presenting signs of the disease at ante mortem abattoir inspections, all bovines of over 30 months intended for slaughter for human consumption fallen stock and cattle killed on farms (but not for the purposes of human consumption).