From today the rule which has stopped older cattle from entering the human food chain since March 1996 has been lifted and replaced with a BSE testing regime.
The end of the Over Thirty Month (OTM) Rule follows acceptance by the Government in September of advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that a robust testing regime has been developed. Cattle born before 1 August 1996 will continue to be excluded from the food chain.
Lord Bach, Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food said,
"The replacement of the OTM rule marks a significant step in the year-on year decline of the BSE epidemic to record low levels. This is a measure that we've worked very hard to achieve over the last nine years.
"Today's announcement represents a welcome boost for the food industry and our beef farmers who will now be able to enter their older cattle into the food chain.
Abattoirs must ensure that all cattle aged over thirty months entering the food chain receive a negative BSE test result. Everyone involved in processing these cattle, including farmers and abattoir and cutting plant staff has a critical role to play.
We are continuing to work hard in Brussels to ensure that the EU export ban is lifted as soon as possible."
The main public health protection measure - the removal of specified risk material (SRM) - which is estimated to remove over 99% of infectivity in cattle - will continue to be rigorously enforced by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS). Only OTM cattle that receive a negative test result for BSE under the new system will be sold for human consumption.
Abattoirs, which can start slaughtering older cattle from today, have been required to meet strict standards endorsed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). These include a two day assessment and entering into a legally binding agreement with the MHS on operational procedures.