A draft European Commission proposal to raise the age limit at which the vertebral column must be removed from beef was endorsed by Member States at a Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) held on October 5. Subject to the right of scrutiny by the European Parliament and final adoption by the European Commission in the next two months, the vote paves the way for beef on the bone, such as the Italian Fiorentina steak or T-bone steak, to be produced again in the EU. The draft decision, based on scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), increases the threshold at which the vertebral column of slaughtered cattle must be removed from 12 to 24 months. This is the first proposal related to changing certain EU BSE measures since the publication of the Commission’s roadmap in July.

Markos Kyprianou, commissioner for health and consumer protection, said This first step towards easing EU BSE measures is a positive reflection of how far we have come in the battle against the disease. It is not a move that was taken lightly. The Commission drew on the soundest scientific knowledge, examined the statistical evidence and discussed this intensively with Member States and the European Parliament. We are confident that the high level of consumer protection established through our BSE rules over the past decade will not be affected by this proposal.”