Specified risk material

Specified Risk Material (SRM) refers to parts of slaughtered cattle, sheep, and goats that are considered at a higher risk of containing the infectious agent for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, and Scrapie in sheep and goats. The designation of SRM is a critical component in the prevention and control measures against the spread of these diseases, particularly in the food and feed chains.

Definition and Importance

Specified Risk Material is defined by various international and national health and agricultural organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the European Union (EU). These materials are identified based on scientific evidence indicating that certain tissues and organs of infected animals contain high levels of prions, the infectious agents responsible for TSEs. The primary goal of identifying and removing SRM is to protect human and animal health by preventing the entry of these prions into the food and feed supply.

SRM in Different Species

The specific tissues classified as SRM can vary between species and regulatory jurisdictions, but generally include:

Cattle

• Skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia, eyes, tonsils, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia of cattle aged over 30 months.
• The vertebral column, including the dorsal root ganglia but excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, the wings of the sacrum, and the vertebrae of the tail, from cattle aged over 30 months.

Sheep and Goats

• Spleen and ileum for all sheep and goats.
• Brain, skull, eyes, tonsils, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia of sheep and goats over 12 months of age or with a permanent incisor erupted through the gum.

Regulations and Control Measures

The identification and removal of SRM are key elements in the regulatory frameworks designed to control TSEs. Regulations vary by country but generally include:

• Strict slaughterhouse procedures for the removal and disposal of SRM.
• Bans on the use of SRM in human food, animal feed, and in some cases, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
• Requirements for the traceability of animal by-products to ensure SRM is effectively identified and controlled.

In the European Union, Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 lays down the rules for the prevention, control, and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, including detailed provisions on SRM.

Impact

The effective management of Specified Risk Material has been a cornerstone in the efforts to control and reduce the incidence of TSEs, particularly BSE in cattle. These measures have contributed significantly to public health protection by minimizing the risk of transmission of these diseases to humans, known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) when related to BSE.

Challenges

Despite the success of SRM controls, challenges remain, including the need for ongoing surveillance, research into TSEs, and ensuring compliance with regulations across all sectors involved in animal slaughter and by-product processing.

Conclusion

The identification and management of Specified Risk Material are critical components of the global strategy to prevent and control Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. Through rigorous regulations and compliance, the risks associated with these materials can be minimized, protecting both animal and human health.

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