Cattle born or
reared in the UK before 1 August 1996 have had new movement
restrictions placed on them as an extra precaution against meat
from these older cattle entering the food chain.
The restrictions are being placed on cattle born or reared in the
UK before 1 August 1996 following a Government investigation into
whether any illegal trade in these cattle has occurred.
Defra has written to the 18,000 keepers with animals of this age
to inform them of the new measures.
Controls to prevent these animals from entering the food chain
are already strong. It is illegal to slaughter pre-1996 animals
for food, and specified risk material (SRM) such as brain and
spinal cord is removed from all cattle after slaughter. In
addition, any cattle aged over 48 months are tested for BSE after
slaughter and only those that test negative are allowed into the
food chain.
Agriculture Minister Jim Paice said:
“I regret that due to what appears to be illegal activity by a
few individuals, this has been necessary. The industry has worked
hard over the years to ensure British beef regained the good
reputation it deserves, both at home and abroad.
“We want to maintain this reputation, so it’s sensible to
introduce this extra safeguard. It shouldn’t have much impact on
most cattle keepers, but it will give us additional confidence
that these animals don’t enter the food chain.”
Relevant livestock keepers are being informed that no cattle born
or reared in the UK before August 1996 will be allowed to move
from their holdings without an individual movement licence, and no
licences will be granted to move these cattle to markets or
through dealers. In practice, this should affect a relatively
small number of owners.
Notes to Editors
As at 1 January 2011 there were around 53,000 cattle that were
born or reared in the UK before August 1996 – around 34,000 in
England, 11,000 in Scotland and nearly 8000 in Wales – on 18,190
holdings. The total cattle population in Great Britain is around 9
million.
Fewer than 1 per cent of holdings have more than 20 cattle that
fall into this category.
The number of pre-August 96 cattle is declining steadily in line
with expectations.
The removal of specified risk material (SRM) such as brain and
spinal cord is the key food safety measure against BSE. In the
unlikely event that a cow infected with BSE is slaughtered for
food, its SRM would have been removed, thereby removing almost all
of the risk. In addition, any cattle aged over 48 months are
tested for BSE after slaughter.
23/11
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Tom Briggs
Phone: 020 7238 6140
tom.briggs@defra.gsi.gov.uk