§ Lord Lucasasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they continue to destroy the carcasses of cattle under the over 30 month scheme when equivalent schemes elsewhere in the European Union test carcasses individually and allow uninfected animals into the food chain. [HL2554]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whiny)The arrangements reflect the different history and incidence of BSE between the UK and other EU member states. The over 30 month rule was introduced in the UK in 1996 to exclude beef from older cattle from the food chain and thereby reduce the risk of consumer exposure to BSE. The over 30 month scheme (OTMS) was also introduced in 1996 to provide an outlet for cattle which could no longer enter the food chain by virtue of the rule.
The Food Standards Agency is responsible for assessing whether the OTM rule is still necessary, and the agency has indicated that it intends to undertake a review of the future of the rule. In the light of this review the Government will consider whether any changes should be made to the OTMS; any such changes would need to be agreed with the European Commission and the member states.