Safeguards agreed for new BSE testing regime

Thursday 15 September 2005

Following today's announcement that the Government is to replace the Over Thirty Months Rule with BSE testing, Ministers have also agreed a number of pre-conditions set by the Agency to ensure continued consumer protection during the implementation of testing.

These pre-conditions include the requirement for specially trained vets from the Meat Hygiene Service to visit every abattoir approved for testing during the first two days of operations, with regular follow-ups; new laws making it illegal for farmers to send cattle born before August 1996 to slaughter for food; and an independent audit of the BSE testing system, which will report six months following the rule change.

In addition, the Agency is establishing a Review Group to oversee implementation of BSE testing in the UK. This group, which will include representatives of all those involved in testing and independent consumer representation, will monitor and report publicly on the testing scheme to the Agency's Board.

FSA Chair, Deirdre Hutton, said: 'We welcome the acceptance by Ministers of the Board�s specific pre-conditions for the introduction of BSE testing.

'Through the whole of this process our aim has been to ensure that the new system is subject to rigorous, and transparent, scrutiny, and that the testing system continues to protect public health.'