Animal by-products: Disposal of specified risk material (SRM) vertebral column
The EU ban on the export of beef from the UK was lifted on 2 May 2006. When the ban was lifted, the UK’s rules on Specified Risk Material (SRM) became harmonised with those throughout the rest of the EU. Vertebral column and dorsal root ganglia are now classed as SRM (a Category 1 animal by-product) in bovines over 24 months old (previously this was over 30 months). Full details of SRM changes will be made available on the Food Standards Agency website.
Since 3 May 2006, butchers have been permitted to remove vertebral column from bovines aged 24-30 months as Category 1 material (SRM), subject to Local Authority authorisation. Further information is available in the FSA’s guidance (PDF) for butchers and protocol (PDF) for removal of SRM vertebral column.
This guidance note provides advice on disposal of SRM vertebral column from butchers.
Page last modified:
June 9, 2008