FDA: Final rule on using SRM in feed
A final regulation barring specified specifik risk material (SRM) from cattle 30 months of age and older from being included in animal feed, was issued Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA said the final rule, which prohibits brain material and spinal cords from being included in feed, further protects animals and consumers against bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
cattle population from the already low risk of BSE,” said Dr. Bernadette Dunham,
director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “The new rule strengthens
existing safeguards.”
These materials have the highest risk for carrying
the agent thought to cause BSE. The entire carcass of cattle not inspected and
passed for human consumption is also prohibited, unless the brains and spinal
cords have been removed or the animals are less than 30 months old.
This
regulation finalizes a proposed rule that the FDA issued for public comment in
October 2005. The final rule is effective 12 months from today to allow the
livestock, meat, rendering and feed industries time to adapt their practices to
comply with the new regulation.
Under the new requirements, renderers
processing cattle not inspected and passed for human consumption must provide
FDA inspectors written protocols for determining the age of cattle and
demonstrating the brain and spinal cords of cattle have been effectively
removed.
Related website:
FDA
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