Monthly report of specified risk material and other BSE control breaches for December 2008

Friday 30 January 2009

The following report from the Food Standards Agency provides a monthly update on specified risk material (SRM) finds and related issues.

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Imported SRM breaches

There are no breaches to report.

Domestic SRM breach

On 1 December 2008 a report was made to the Meat Hygiene Service of the discovery of a ewe side containing its entire spinal cord. Spinal cord is SRM in sheep aged over 12 months at slaughter or where a permanent incisor has erupted. This animal was identified as a ewe as it was not marked with a 'Young Lamb' stamp. The side was detained. The other carcases in the consignment were checked, found to be free from SRM and released for human consumption. No SRM entered the food supply as a result of this incident.

Investigations revealed that the animal had been processed at A Traves and Son Ltd, a slaughterhouse in Yorkshire where the spinal cord should have been removed before the carcase was consigned to London Central Markets. Measures have been taken to prevent a recurrence.

The receiving organisation, London Central Markets, was not responsible for the breach.

Background on SRM issues

• SRM is that part of the animal most likely to contain BSE infectivity
• the SRM controls are applied as a precautionary safety measure for sheep. No BSE has been found in the UK sheep flock
• under European Union law, SRM must be removed as soon as possible after slaughter, stained and disposed of safely