| Description | Seeking views on raising the minimum age for BSE testing cattle slaughtered for human consumption and fallen stock to 48 months and on amending the Tranmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (Scotland) Regulations 2006 to administer this change. |
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| ISBN | (Web Only) |
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| Official Print Publication Date | October 2008 |
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| Website Publication Date | November 03, 2008 |
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Annex A
Veterinary Laboratories Agency Risk Assessment
The Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) estimated that the maximum, mean and minimum number of missed BSE test-positive animals in GB:
- arising as a result of increasing the age limit for testing healthy slaughtered cattle from 30 up to 48 months would be less than 1 for the two year period 2008-09.
- arising as a result of increasing the age limit for testing emergency slaughtered cattle from 24 up to 48 months would be zero for the two year period 2008-09.
- arising as a result of increasing the age limit for testing the fallen stock cattle from 24 up to 48 months would be less than 1 for the two year period 2008-09.
The VLA further concluded that since the number of missed BSE test-positive animals was so low in the human consumption streams for the testing age limits modelled, this resulted in a negligible impact on the total amount of infectivity entering the food chain. The VLA also modelled the impact of between 1 and 10 missed BSE test-positive animals on the total amount of infectivity consumed each year. As a result of the high effectiveness of SRM controls in removing infectivity from the food chain, each missed case would have a very small impact on the total amount of infectivity consumed each year - particularly when compared to historic levels.
Reference:
http://www.seac.gov.uk/papers/101-summary.pdf
European Food Safety Authority Risk Assessment
The European Food Safety Authority conclusions included that:
- The purpose of the BSE surveillance in cattle in the EU is mainly to monitor the BSE epidemic.
- Prevention of human exposure to BSE agent mainly relies on SRM removal.
- Prevention of animal exposure and propagation to TSE agents mainly relies on the feed ban.
- If the age of BSE testing increases to 48 months of age for healthy slaughtered animals, the modelling shows that less than one case can be expected to be missed annually in the EU 15.
- If the age of BSE testing increases to 48 of age for emergency slaughtered, clinical signs at ante-mortem inspection or fallen stock animals, the modelling shows that less than one case can be expected to be missed annually in the EU 15.
References:
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902007644.htm
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902007703.htm