Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 November 2014
22. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing more flexibility and common sense to the specific risk material regulation that impacts on the price of cattle over 30 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43018/14]
View answerRules in relation to the removal and destruction of Specified Risk Materials are determined at EU level. Specified Risk Material (SRM) refers to a group of tissues and organs of animals which have been shown to have potential to transmit diseases such as BSE. Under existing EU regulations SRM must be removed from the food and feed chain and disposed of in accordance with prescribed legislative requirements, in order to ensure optimal consumer protection. This has been a mandatory requirement since 2000 and is EU wide.
EU SRM rules have been subject to adjustment over the years in line with ongoing assessment of the risks relating to BSE. For example, prior to 1 January 2006, the vertebral column of bovine animals over 12 months had been regarded as Specified Risk Material (SRM) and was not permitted in products for human consumption. In January 2006 that age threshold was raised to 24 months and since April 2008 vertebral column of cattle up to 30 months of age is permitted for sale in products for human consumption. Retail butchers who receive beef containing vertebral column from animals over 30 months must be authorised to receive, handle and dispose of the SRM. Authorisation is granted by the Environmental Health Service of the HSE.
There is an EU wide harmonised approach to the regulation of SRM with limited scope for flexibility by any Member State with respect to implementing the TSE regulations including the definition of SRM. Any future changes to the situation will require agreement at EU level, based on European Food Safety Authority opinions. Of course it is also the case that full compliance with EU SRM rules is invariably a condition for access to 3rd country markets for Irish beef and from the point of view of protecting the reputation of the Irish beef industry in overseas markets, it is essential that my Department rigorously enforces the current rules.
While I can have no role in discussing prices I am cognisant of the high level of consumer protection built up over the years in the field of prevention, control and eradication of TSEs. My priority is ensuring that this high level of consumer protection is maintained, while protecting the reputation of the Irish beef sector in overseas markets.
