The UK Food Standards Agency is seeking views on proposed changes to EU regulations that will extend the list of animal tissues that are regarded as specified risk material (SRM) and banned from entering the food chain.

SRM controls are among the key measures used to ensure BSE infectivity does not enter the food we eat. They are also applied to some sheep and goat tissue as a precautionary measure because of the possible risk that BSE may exist in sheep and goats.

The proposed EU measures would extend the current list of SRMs to include the ileum of sheep and goats of all ages and the tonsils of cattle of all ages.

The FSA understands that the ileum, which is part of the sheep intestine, is not currently used in the manufacture of any food products.

The amended regulations would also require that bovine tongue would have to be removed in a certain way, so as to ensure that there is no risk of visible tonsil tissue on the tongue.

Responses to the consultation should be completed by 17 January 2003.