Consumption of meat of sheep and goats coming from Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies outbreaks

According to EC Regulation n. 727/2007, amending EC Regulation n. 999/2001, some derogations may be granted concerning the use of the meat of animals coming from BSE outbreaks which turned out negative to prion testing. The Committee was asked whether: 1. “In case of adoption of derogations to EC regulation n. 727/2007, the risk of consumers’ exposure to the Pathological Prion Protein (PrPSC) may be considered as acceptable. 2. “If consumers run an acceptable risk of contracting a disease following consumption of sheep and goat meat coming from susceptible animals and TSE outbreaks”. After a careful assessment, which also took into consideration the opinion delivered by EFSA on this issue, as well as the opinion delivered by the National Health Institute and the National Reference Centre for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopahties (Turin IZS), the CNSA considered that in case the derogations laid down by EC 727/2007 are enforced the risk of exposure of consumers following consumption of meat coming from susceptible animals or TSE outbreaks may be considered as acceptable. Moreover, in the absence of scientific evidence on TSE transmission to humans, the risk of contracting the disease must be considered as negligible and therefore acceptable. However, the Committee hopes for an enhancement of genetic selection programs for disease resistant animals, already envisaged by the legislation in force. Finally, the Committee invites the Directorate General for Animal Health and Veterinary Medicinal Products, that asked for the opinion, to submit the data on the evolution of the above-mentioned disease to the CNSA on a six-month basis in order to ensure constant monitoring.IT; it; r.valentini@sanita.i