Written question asked by Colin Challen (Labour) on Thursday, 4 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential presence of BSE in beef protein collagen used in the manufacture of sausages.

Answer: Mr. Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the potential presence of BSE in beef protein collagen used in the manufacture of sausages. [68069] Ms Blears: I have been asked to reply. The Food Standards Agency have advised me that the European Commission Scientific Committee gave an opinion on safety with respect to TSEs (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, including BSE) and the risks of collagen produced from ruminant hides at its meeting of 10-11 May 2001. They concluded that on the basis of current knowledge the parts of ruminant hides used for the production of collagen do not present a risk with regard to TSEs, provided contamination with potentially infected material is avoided. It is a regulatory requirement that food and food products (including collagen) must not be derived from BSE cases or suspected cases, or from specified risk material.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 68069; 389 c1157W;389 c1155W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Contamination Disease control Food Food Standards Agency Meat products Safety Sheep BSE Transmissible encephalopathies Sausages
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk