Press Release: Beef on the bone: Commission increases the age limit at which the vertebral column must be removed from beef.

The European Commission adopted a Regulation raising the age limit at which the vertebral column must be removed from beef from 24 to 30 months. Following the 3 month scrutiny period by the European Parliament, the Regulation was finally adopted by the European Commission. The Regulation, based on scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), increased the age at which the vertebral column of slaughtered cattle must be removed from 24 to 30 months. This measure is one of the EU measures set out in the TSE Roadmap in July 2005 which have been made possible by the improvement in the BSE situation, while maintaining the highest levels of food safety and consumer protection.