Food Law News - UK - 1998

30 November 1998: BEEF - New SEAC Report On Beef Bones

MAFF News Release (470/98), 30 November 1998

New SEAC Report On Beef Bones

The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) reviewed its assessment of the risk of BSE infectivity in the dorsal root ganglia and bone marrow of cattle when it met on 9 November, and its scientific report is being published today.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown welcomed the assessment and set out the Government's next steps. In answer to a Parliamentary Question from Bob Blizzard MP, he said:

“The report is now being considered within Government and in particular by the Chief Medical Officer who will advise Ministers shortly. In addition, we need to take account of the potential effects of the EU Commission's recent proposal for Community-wide controls on Specified Risk Materials. Once this process of consideration is complete, there will be a further announcement about UK controls on bone-in beef.

Copies of SEAC's scientific assessment are being placed in the Libraries of the House and are being made widely available, including on the Ministry's Internet website (see SEAC Advice), with the purpose of informing debate.”