BSE - UK submits report to European Commission

Defra has formally submitted a paper to the European Commission detailing why the UK should no longer be considered a BSE high risk country.

The paper, which provides detailed statistical evidence on the decline of the BSE epidemic in the UK, follows the decision in May by the world animal health body - the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) - to agree to increasing international thresholds for BSE risk categorisation.

The decision by the OIE, if incorporated into EU legislation, could allow the UK to move from high risk to moderate risk status in the near future. This would enable the current controls on exports of beef, including the stringent Date Based Export Scheme requirements, to be wound up.

Animal Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said recognition of reduced BSE cases at EU level would place the UK on an equal footing with other EU countries, but he accepted progress could be tough.

"Lowering of the UK's risk status will require a formal Opinion from the European Food Safety Authority, the EU's scientific risk assessment body, changes to EU legislation and agreement of other member states. But we are working hard to secure amendments as swiftly as possible.

"We have now delivered detailed statistical information to the EU Commission, which shows that the epidemic has declined sufficiently for the UK to be classified as a moderate risk country in 2003.

"This is completely new territory for the UK, and we will have a large number of hurdles to jump. However, there is considerable evidence to support our case, and we will want to see early progress," he added.