Untested over thirty months (OTM) animal enters food supply
Monday 16 July 2007
The Agency has been notified that an OTM animal was not subject to BSE testing before being released into the food supply. Testing is mandatory for cattle slaughtered for human consumption at over thirty months of age.
The animal, which was aged eight days over thirty months, was slaughtered on 1 May at Cheshire Equine Services Ltd, Nantwich, Cheshire. The error was discovered on 2 July in the course of routine, computerised cross-checks of slaughter and test data. It is believed all meat from this animal would have already been consumed by the time this error came to light. As all the specified risk material was removed, any risk to human health is extremely low.
A full investigation into the circumstances of this incident is underway.
Background on BSE testing
OTM cattle have been allowed for human consumption provided they have tested negative for BSE since 7 November 2005.
Over 660,000 OTM cattle have been slaughtered for human consumption in the UK since that date.
There have been four previous failures to test an OTM animal.
Cattle born or reared in the UK before August 1996 continue to be excluded from the food supply.