DA lifts ban on meat from Europe

The Department of Agriculture recently lifted the ban on importing meat and meat products derived from cattle from Europe.

DA7 regional director Eduardo Lecciones said DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban recently issued Memorandum 17-2006, lifting the temporary ban on the importation of meat and meat products from cattle from Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy and Luxemburg.

Cattle from these countries were feared to have Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy popularly known as mad cow disease.

"Based on the evaluation of the Department of Agriculture, the risk of entry from BSE from importing meat and meat products derived from cattle from the said countries is negligible," according to the memorandum.

The said countries were able to institute measures to contain the outbreak of BSE.

The ban is lifted after certain conditions are certified by the veterinary authority of the exporting countries. These conditions include the age of slaughter cattle is not older than 30 months; beef should come only from healthy ambulatory and not downer cattle born and grown in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy and Luxemburg; the nerves of the meat and meat products derived from cattle should be devoid of any nerves and other BSE specified risk materials; slaughter of the cattle and packaging/cutting of the beef is done in a meat facility used only for 30 months old and younger cattle and that the beef should not anytime and in any manner get in contact or mixed with beef coming from cattle older than 30 months.

The date when the cattle is slaughtered or the production date of the beef shall also be included in the packaging label.

"All shipments into the country of beef originating from the said countries not complying with the stated conditions shall be confiscated by DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers at all major sea and airports," Panganiban said.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is a disease of adult cattle affecting the central nervous system.

Affected cattle develop progressive behavior changes, abnormal posture, in coordination, reduced milk production and weight loss.

The disease typically occurs in cattle five years of age or older, it is rare for cattle younger than three years old to be affected.

The disease was first diagnosed in Great Britain in 1986. A possible link was proposed in 1996 between BSE and a disease of humans recently observed in Britain that caused concern among importing countries. - Ferliza C. Contratista