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Agriculture: Sheep

Answer

All consignments of fresh meat imported into the United Kingdom are subject to random inspection to check they are compliant with the relevant legislation. It is the responsibility of the member state of origin to health mark each individual carcase as fit for human consumption, which indicates compliance with the Community (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy) Regulations and that all appropriate specified risk material has been removed. In the UK, we have taken the view that currently the only fully effective method of removing spinal cord from sheep over 12 months of age is by splitting the carcase first so that both the food business operator and enforcement officers can clearly see whether or not spinal cord remains present. As I mentioned in my earlier Answers, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised the department that it is currently examining the effectiveness of alternative methods of removing spinal cord and verifying removal that do not require the carcase to be split. This will involve witnessing these alternative methods in action. The FSA has advised the department that they will arrange to meet with industry representatives to discuss the issue once their initial investigations have been completed.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

3655; 701 c205WA

Session

2007-08

Related items

Agriculture: Sheep
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Subjects

Disease control Safety Sheep BSE Sheep meat

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk