UK one step closer to re-gaining BSE Negligible Risk status

We've had some good news recently as the Scientific Commission has recommended that the UK's application for BSE Negligible Risk status should be approved. This is still subject to a vote in the General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOHA) in May this year but it's a welcome step forward.

While it is still up in the air until the vote, it's important that companies don't jump the gun. We need to continue with all measures and restrictions that have been required right up until the decision. That said, the day we get full approval, we want to be fully ready to take advantage of our new status, and government will play an important role in preparing for that.

We need to ensure that all guidelines, processes and updates to official controls manuals are ready prior to the May vote. What we don't want is to leave that work until the vote takes place and only then start consultations on what new guidelines are needed (as an example, the rules surrounding mesenteric fat). It's been a long road to get here, and companies have put in a lot of hard work during the application process. We would therefore urge government to make sure Britain is ready to hit the ground running and capitalise on the opportunities that come with Negligible Risk status as soon as its granted.