VANS 4 BUTCHERS

Since the beef export ban was lifted last month, it is now a legislative requirement that the vertebral column (VC) from cattle over 24 months of age is removed and treated as specified risk material (SRM).

There is some confusion in the industry about how much of this beef the butcher can sell on the bone. The legal definition of SRM includes the dorsal root ganglia but excludes the vertebrae of the tail, the spinous and transverse processes (feather bones) of the cervical, thoracic and lumber vertebrae, the median sacral crest and the wings of the sacrum.

These expressions may be strange to some butchers so, in conjunction with the Meat & Livestock Commission, the Food Standards Agency has produced a step-by-step guide to removal of VC from primal cuts which contains colour illustrations.

For a copy, call the FSA’s dedicated number 020 7276 8389.

Remember also that you need to be approved by the local authority to remove the VC so if you want to receive over 24 month beef with the VC intact, contact the authority for an approval form, even if you have no immediate need to use it.

June 2006

Vertebral Column removal for over 24 month beef is affecting all butchers. It is either a nuisance or major annoyance or possibly a catastrophe depending on your normal trading practise. Probably everyone, including the authorities, agrees that the sooner it goes the better.

We were, therefore, all looking forward to early next year when it was widely anticipated that the Commission would raise the threshold to 30 months or even higher.

However recent news from Brussels is that the European FSA has delayed its “opinion statement” which in turn will cause a delay in the decision process. The best guess is now for a change in April 2007.

Meanwhile the FSA here is to slightly ease the UK situation in slaughterhouses and cutting plants. They will now allow over 24 month beef carcases with VC still attached to move twice down the supply chain instead of the current “one move rule”. This will assist the wholesale sector and hopefully slightly improve the supply situation for butchers.

Oct 2006 - Source: NFMFT