Health Scientific Committees Scientific Steering Committee (former MDSC) Outcome of discussions

BSE : extract from the minutes of the Scientific Steering Committee of 2-3 March 2000

In view of the cases of BSE continuing to occur in the EU, even in Member States that have not identified native cases in the past, the Scientific Steering Committee recalls that, in its efforts to define the possible implications of BSE on public health, it has repeatedly highlighted, in various opinions, the elements which contribute to the geographical BSE risk.

It is presently assessing the geographical BSE risk in the Member States and in a number of Third Countries, the preliminary results of which will be communicated to these countries in due time.

In view of both developments, the SSC wants to underline its earlier opinions indicating that the exclusion of Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) and fallen stock from the feed chain would reduce the risks of propagating the BSE agent, and that the exclusion of SRMs from the human food chain would reduce any possible BSE-risk for the consumer.

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