H R Jasper & Son Limited, a
red meat slaughterhouse based near Launceston, Cornwall, has been ordered to
pay almost £9,000 in fines and costs for failing to remove specified risk
material (SRM) from sheep carcasses destined for the food
chain.
SRM is the parts of cattle,
sheep and goats most likely to carry BSE. All SRM must be removed in either the
slaughterhouse or, in certain circumstances, cutting plant. It must not enter
the food chain.
The company entered not guilty
pleas on six charges and, following a two day hearing, was convicted on all
counts.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Operating
Officer at the FSA, said: 'The meat industry has worked hard over many
years to restore confidence in the safety of UK meat. Unfortunately, some
companies occasionally fail to meet the standards which underpin the strict and
successful system of controls we have in place to tackle BSE. As the enforcer
of those regulations we will take action against any company that potentially
puts consumers at risk.'
The case was heard at Truro
Magistrates’ Court on 29 April 2014. More information about the BSE
controls can be found at the link below.