EFSA provides update on plans to assess the safety of goat meat and goat meat products with regard to BSE/TSE

On 26 November 2004, EFSA published a statement on the safety of goat milk and derived products with regard to possible risks from BSE/TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy). The BIOHAZ Panel reaffirmed today that important information gaps do not allow, at this stage, the quantification of BSE-related risks with regard to the consumption of goat meat. The Panel stresses that the significance of this single case of BSE infection in a goat in France is yet to be assessed. In order to do so, the results of the increased monitoring of TSEs in goats as proposed by the European Commission will be essential. The BIOHAZ Panel’s ability to carry out a quantitative risk assessment will be determined by the availability of the monitoring results and further experimental and epidemiological data. The success of its work will also depend on access to unpublished findings from Member States and third countries. EFSA will review progress with members of its Advisory Forum at a meeting scheduled next week following a call for data launched in November 2004. The BIOHAZ Panel expects to provide further advice relating to the safety of goat meat and goat meat products by July 2005.

• Statement on the assessment of safety with respect to the consumption of goat meat and goat meat products in relation to BSE/TSE