The EU Commissioner for Health, Markos Kyprianou, is set to propose a measure to increase the age limit for the removal of spinal cord in cattle.
The removal of the vetebral column in cattle was restricted for animals over 24 months due to possible links to BSE. The new proposal will see the age limit extended to 30 months.
When adopted this will be the second time in two years that the age limit for the removal of vertebral column will have been increased. There was an change from 12 to 24 months in December 2005.
This new increase will mean butchers who are authorised to handle specified risk material (SRM) will be able to sell beef on the bone from cattle up to 30 months of age.
It will also benefit those butchers who choose not to handle SRM and who will be able to take in and sell beef on the bone from cattle up to that age.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, said that in light of the continuing decline in the incidence of BSE, changes to the control regime were fully justifiable without jeopardising either food safety or disease control.
The Minister said she hopes this proposal was indicative of a greater willingness on the part of the Commission to also consider proposing an increase in the age limit for testing healthy slaughtered cattle above the present 30 months.
