§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the Over-30-Months Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [79239]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 4 November 2002]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that it is currently undertaking a review of the over thirty months rule, under which the sale for human consumption of meat from cattle aged over thirty months at slaughter is prohibited. The Agency is being assisted in the review by a joint Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee/FSA risk assessment group and a stakeholder group, and will issue regular information 524W about the review as it proceeds. The Agency is expecting to report its findings from the review in the first half of next year.