EU scientists yesterday refer red new British evidence on the safety of bone-in meat to a specialist sub-committee for consideration. The European Commission is currently amending legislation banning the use of specified risk material (SRM) such as offal, brains and muscle tissue in food, and may include a ban on all bone if its scientists back British findings.
The scientists met to consider how to amend the SRM directive to take account of concerns expressed by the pharmaceutical industry that too rigid a ban would jeopardise the production of lifesaving drugs.
It is likely, however, that changes may not be agreed in time for the January 1st start-date for the ban, with the result, commission sources suggest, that the whole package could be put back to allow a proper assessment of the latest British evidence.
Meanwhile the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, yesterday received strong assurances from his British counterpart, Mr Robin Cook, that his government would do all in its power to ensure the free movement of Irish beef in Britain.
Mr Andrews, who was here for a meeting of foreign ministers, said he had impressed on Mr Cook the importance of Britain, not just as a market for Irish beef but a conduit to European markets.
He said, however, he did not favour EU legal action against the British for violation of their treaty obligations at this stage. "Hopefully this can be done by negotiations," he said.
