BSE Controls Review: Your response: letter from Mike Attenborough

Dear Geoffrey,

BSE CONTROLS REVIEW
BSE IN SHEEP CONTINGENCY PLANNING

I am writing as promised following the Stakeholder meeting held in London on 14 September 2000 with regard to the MLC activity in BSE in sheep contingency planning. The theoretical risk to the national flock of exposure to the BSE agent through the consumption contaminated feedstuffs is well documented. Indeed, as you will no doubt be aware, MLC commissioned a risk assessment in an attempt to quantify the level of exposure. This material was subsequently submitted to SEAC.

The distribution of prion protein in carcase tissue in sheep with scrapie is known to be much more widespread than is the case in cattle with BSE. MLC contingency planning was, therefore, based upon the recognition that there may well be a need to remove additional specified risk materials from the carcase in the event of BSE being detected in the national flock in the field.

A review of the butchery techniques available to the industry that would enable the removal of obvious lymphatic tissues was carried out. Sheep Strategy Council members and JFSSG personnel were appraised of the techniques involved. Real time risk communication exercises on this basis took place in the early part of this year as part of our BSE in sheep crisis communication policy.

The draft report of the Review of BSE controls has established the current FSA position that the removal of additional specified risk materials would be considered an insufficient control measure to protect public health. This raises potentially serious short term implications for the sheep industry and led MLC to review its contingency planning.

The importance of developing automated, cost effective tests for use both in the live sheep and at slaughter cannot be overemphasised in the drive to control and hopefully eliminate TSE diseases and the Government should continue to commit resources to this goal.

Scrapie genotyping is now recognised as the best available option to achieve elimination of TSE diseases in sheep over the long term and we are supportive of the National Scrapie Plan proposals being discussed. It would be wise for the genotyping proposals to remain voluntary whilst there remains uncertainty over the carrier state in resistant blood lines. However there is an urgent need to identify the distribution of resistant genotypes within the national flock.

In summary, MLC is able to help in the following areas:

- Assistance with technical, factual and industry data in risk assessment calculation

- Advice on appropriate butchery techniques

- Co-ordination of industry views and activities

In short, we are keen to work with you as much as appropriate in this high priority area.

Yours sincerely

Mike Attenborough
Technical Director
Meat and Livestock Commission