Agency lists butchers authorised to remove vertebral column in 24 - 30 month old cattle

Thursday 16 November 2006

Following harmonisation of UK specified risk material (SRM) controls with those applicable in other Member States, the UK has taken up a derogation, available under EU legislation, to allow specifically authorised butchers' shops to handle carcasses of 24 - 30 months cattle containing SRM vertebral column (SRM VC).

As a result, butchers who have been granted authorisations by their local authority are now allowed to remove SRM VC from 24-30 months cattle on their premises.

The Food Standards Agency is now publishing lists of butchers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland authorised to remove SRM VC from 24 - 30 months cattle.

The lists (available at the link below) are incomplete, as not all local authorities have responded to the Agency's request for information.

Therefore, before despatching carcases and part-carcases containing SRM VC to butchers, slaughterhouses and cutting plants should obtain a copy of the authorisation from the butcher concerned, or check with the relevant local authority.