OTM RULE REVIEW

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OTM RULE REVIEW STAKEHOLDER REPRESENTATIVES PUBL
IC CONSULTATION MEETING Friday 7 March 2003 DR
JOHN GODFREY
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BSE Consumer ProtectionUK EU

• UK
• Specified risk material controls
• Over thirty months rule
• EU
• Specified risk material controls
• BSE testing of over thirty month animals

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The Risk Assessment

• Risks to consumers now hugely lower than when BSE
  epidemic at its peak
• Any increase in risk arising from a change in the
  rule marginal compared to the past risk
• Difference in risks between the options very
  small
• Risks if we moved to testing OTM animals
  comparable to those experienced in 1997 with OTM
  rule in place

4
Practicality of Controls

• Testing
• Major new system required
• action if a positive is found - traceability
• how will we know if its working? - transparency
  and audit
• SRM controls
• SRM controls will remain in force as the main
  plank of consumer protection
• removal of vertebral column from OTM cattle
• traceability
• Enforcement
• cattle passports
• dentition

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Proportionality

• Principle that remedies should be appropriate to
  the risk posed, and costs identified and
  minimised
• OTM scheme currently costs some 400 million a
  year
• Testing all OTM animals would cost about 40
  million a year
• Large cost differences between birth date
  options, but little difference in risk

6
Consumer Confidence in any Change

• Decision based on a sound scientific assessment
  of risk, acknowledgement of uncertainties
• New controls robust and effective
• The resulting risk to consumers at an acceptable
  level
• The remaining uncertainties are not such as to
  require the continuation of the OTM rule on a
  precautionary basis
• Change is effectively communicated to the public

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Emerging Findings

• Options which might be recommended
• allowing animals born after 1 August 1996 into
  the food supply, with testing of OTM animals
• moving entirely to testing all OTM animals