Former Scientific Steering Committee

Opinion on the potential requirement for designation of specified risk materials in pigs (adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 6-7 March 2003)

Opinion on BSE risk of the bovine autonomic nervous system (adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 6-7 March 2003)

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in Singapore (adopted on 06 March 2003)

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in New Caledonia (adopted on 06 March 2003)

Opinion on the use of burial for dealing with animal carcasses and other animal materials that might contain BSE/TSE (Adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee Meeting of 16-17 January 2003)

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in Greece (adopted on 06 December 2002)

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in the Principality of Andorra (adopted on 06 December 2002)

Updated opinion on the safety with regard to TSE risks of gelatine derived from ruminant bones or hides (adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 5-6 December 2002)

Updated opinion and report on a treatment of animal waste by means of high temperature (150°c, 3 hours) and high pressure alkaline hydrolysis (Initially adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 16 may 2002 and revised at its meeting of 7-8 november 2002)

Update of the Opinion on TSE Infectivity distribution in ruminant tissues (Initially adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 10-11 January 2002 and amended at its meeting of 7-8 November 2002) following the submission of (1) a risk assessment by the German Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, food and Agriculture and (2) new scientific evidence regarding BSE infectivity distribution in tonsils

Opinion on necrophagous birds as possible transmitters of TSE/BSE (Adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 7-8 November 2002)

Opinion on the Geographical BSE risk for sheep and goats (GBR-S) : adaptation of the cattle GBR methodology to small ruminants, in case BSE in small ruminants would become probable or evident under field conditions (Adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 7-8 November 2002

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in New Zealand (adopted on 07 November 2002)

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in Israel (adopted on 13 September 2002)

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in Malta (adopted on 13 September 2002)

Opinion on the Geographical risk of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (GBR) in Slovenia (adopted on 13 September 2002)

Complement to the SSC opinion of 4-5 April 2002 on safe sourcing of small ruminant materials (with special reference to the safety with regard to BSE risks of sheep intestines and casings), adopted on 12-13 September 2002 (112

Opinion on the implications of the recent papers on transmission of BSE by blood transfusion in sheep (Houston et al, 2000; Hunter et al, 2002), adopted on 12-13 September 2002
[Revision and update of the SSC Opinion of 26-27 October 2000 on: the Implications of the Houston et al paper in The Lancet of 16 September 2000 on the Transmission of BSE by blood transfusion in sheep. (The Lancet, Vol. 356, pp 999-1000; 955-956; 1013)]

Updated opinion on the safety with regard to TSE risks of gelatine derived from ruminant bones or hides (adopted on 12-13 September 2002)

Scientific opinion on "The proposal for controlled use of ruminant SRMs as feed for fur animals in Finland" (27 October 2000) (45

Scientific Opinion - Risk Assessment in a rapidly evolving field: the case of Genetically Modified Plants (GMP) - (Expressed on 26/27 October 2000) (105

Strategies for dealing with emerging and re-emerging scientific issues that have the potential to impact human health, directly or mediated through the environment - Opinion adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 26-27 October 2000 (114

Opinion and report on the safety of dicalcium phosphate precipitated from ruminant bones and used as an animal feed additive - Adopted on 26 June 1998, following a public consultation on the preliminary opinion adopted on 15 May 1998 (Report updated at the SSC meeting of 26-27 October 2000) (73

The safe handling, transport and temporary storage of meat-and-bone meal which may be contaminated with a BSE agent or other pathogens - s adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 26-27 October

Statement of the Scientific Steering Committee on its Report and Scientific Opinion on mammalian derived meat and bone meal forming a cross-contaminant of animal feedstuffs, adopted on 24-25 September 1998, adopted at the SSC meeting of 26-27 October

Opinion on the Implications of the Houston et al paper in The Lancet of 16 September 2000 on the Transmission of BSE by blood transfusion in sheep. (The Lancet, Vol. 356, pp 999-1000; 955-956; 1013) (50

Report and Scientific Opinion on EXPORT FROM THE UK OF BONE-IN VEAL - Adopted by The Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 14-15 September 2000 (42

Opinion on BSE-related culling in Cattle - Adopted at the meeting of 14/15 September 2000 (102

Preliminary report on Quantitative Risk Assessment on the Use of the Vertebral Column for the production of Gelatine and Tallow submitted to the SSC at its meeting of 13-14 April 2000 This report was open for public comments until 10 June 2000 . (80

Opinion on the Safety of ruminant blood with respect to TSE risks adopted by the SSC at its meeting of 13-14 April 2000 (244

Preliminary opinion - Oral exposure of humans to the BSE agent: Infective dose and species barrier - Adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 2-3 March 2000 (155 - THIS OPINION WAS OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS UNTIL 27 MARCH

Scientific Opinion - The safety of meat and bone meal from mammalian animals, naturally or experimentally susceptible to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. Adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its meeting of 26-27 March 1998 following a public consultation on the preliminary opinion adopted on 19-20 February 1998 (Version updated on 3.04.98) AMENDED VERSION

Opinion on the Safety of Gelatine adopted at the Scientific Steering Committee at its plenary meeting of 26-27 March 1998 following a public consultation on the preliminary opinion adopted on 19-20 February 1998 (Version updated on 3.04.98) AMENDED VERSION

Final Report : Risk assessment of food borne bacterial pathogens : Quantitative methodology relevant for human exposure assessment (Adopted by the Scientific Steering Committee at its Plenary Meeting 16-17 January 2003)

Final report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of El Salvador (June 2001)

Final report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Nigeria (June 2001)

Final report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Panama (June 2001)

Final report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Costa Rica (May 2001)

Final report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Kenya (May 2001)

Final report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Romania (May 2001)

Final report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Slovenia (May 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Albania (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Brazil (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Colombia (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Cyprus (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of the Czech Republic (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Estonia (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Hungary (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of India (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Mauritius (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Pakistan (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Poland (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Singapore (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of the Slovak Republic (March 2001)

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Botswana

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Lithuania

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Namibia

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Nicaragua

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Swaziland

Report on the Assessment of the Geographical BSE - Risk of Uruguay

First report on the harmonisation of risk assessment procedures
Part : The Report of the Scientific Steering Committee's Working Group on Harmonisation of Risk Assessment Procedures in the Scientific Committees advising the European Commission in the area of human and environmental health - 26-27 October 2000 (642KB)
Part : Appendices - 26-27 October 2000

Draft agenda of the Scientific Steering Committee Meeting of 28-29 June

1. Welcome, apologies, introductory remarks, declaration of interest.

2. Approval of the agenda

3. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 10-11 May

4. Procedural matters

a. Membership of the TSE/BSE ad hoc Group;

b. Planning of activities and priorities.

5. Multidisciplinary matters:

a. Co-ordination: Reports of the Chairmen of the 8 Scientific Committees;

b. Harmonisation of risk assessment methods:

- Progress report on Task Force activities;

- Common format for opinions;

- Glossary of terms.

c. Safety of cotton (for opinion);

d. Emerging scientific issues (progress reports);

e. New questions (if any).

6. Multidisciplinary matters relating to TSE/BSE

6.1. Report by the chairman of the TSE/BSE ad-hoc group meeting of 20 June

6.2. Reports on specific issues:

a. Safety of intestine-associated adipose tissues (for opinion);

b. The risk of dissemination of brain particles into the blood and carcass when applying certain slaughter methods (for opinion)

c. Safety of tallow (for opinion)

d Safety of gelatine (progress report / for opinion)

e. Geographical BSE of a number of Third Countries (for opinion).

f. Treatment and disposal of animal waste by alkaline hydrolysis at elevated temperature;

g. Progress report on pending questions:

• BSE epidemiology (survey methods)
• Origin of BSE, transmission and 3 ^rd route
• Frame for the evaluation of proposals for alternative ways of disposal;
• SRMs
• The safety of human-derived products and medical devices, with regard to TSEs (state of affairs)

h. New questions submitted by Commission Services (if any).

7. Info on the follow-up given to the opinions adopted at the previous SSC meeting.

8. Information by the Commission services on matters related to consumer health.

9. Any other business.

Draft agenda of the Scientific Steering Committee Meeting of 10-11 May

1. Welcome, apologies, introductory remarks, declaration of interest.

2. Approval of the agenda

3. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 29-30 March

4. Procedural matters

a. Membership of the TSE/BSE ad hoc Group;

b. Planning of activities and priorities.

5. Multidisciplinary matters:

a. Co-ordination: Reports of the Chairmen of the 8 Scientific Committees;

b. Harmonisation of risk assessment methods:

- Progress report on Task Force activities;

- Common format for opinions;

- Glossary of terms.

c. Safety of cotton (draft opinion);

d. Emerging scientific issues (progress reports);

e. New questions (if any).

f. 6 ^th Framework Programme for Research

6. Multidisciplinary matters relating to TSE/BSE

6.1. Report by the chairman of the TSE/BSE ad-hoc group meeting of 26 April

6.2. Reports on specific issues:

a. Geographical BSE Risk: update and draft opinions on the GBR of a number of Third Countries.

b. Safety of tallow (progress report)

c. Safety of collagen (draft opinion)

d. Frame for the evaluation of proposals for alternative ways of disposal (J.Bridges & secretariat);

e. Progress report on pending questions

• BSE epidemiology (survey methods);
• Origin of BSE, transmission and 3 ^rd route;
• Safety of organic fertilisers and soil conditioners;

- Safety of gelatine;

- SRMs.

f. New questions:

- Questions in relation to the safety of human-derived products and medical devices, with regard to TSEs

- The auto-immune hypothesis: need for an update?

- Determination of appropriate heat treatment of animal meal

- inventory of other recently submitted questions (if any).

7. Info on the follow-up given to the opinions adopted at the previous SSC meeting.

8. Information by the Commission services on matters related to consumer health.

9. Any other business.

Draft agenda of the Scientific Steering Committee Meeting of 29-30 March

1. Welcome, apologies, introductory remarks, declaration of interest.

2. Approval of the agenda

3. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 8-9 February 2001

4. Procedural matters

a. Rules of procedure;

b. Membership of the TSE/BSE ad hoc Group

5. Multidisciplinary matters:

a. Co-ordination: Reports of the Chairmen of the 8 Scientific Committees;

b. Harmonisation of risk assessment methods;

c. Safety of cotton (progress report);

d. Emerging scientific issues (progress reports);

e. New questions.

6. Multidisciplinary matters relating to TSE/BSE

6.1. Report by the chairman of the TSE/BSE ad-hoc group meeting of 15 March

6.2. Reports on specific issues:

a. Geographical BSE Risk: Update

b. Geographical BSE Risk (GBR): possible adoption of an opinion on the GBR of a number of Third Countries.

c. safety of tallow.

d. Progress report on pending questions:

• BSE epidemiology (survey methods);
• Medical instruments;
• Origin of BSE, transmission and 3 ^rd route;
• Treatment and disposal of animal waste by alkaline hydrolysis at elevated temperature;
• Safety of organic fertilisers and soil conditioners;
• Alternative ways of disposal;
• Safety of collagen;
• Literature survey on milk.
• safety of tallow.

e. New questions:

- Correspondence matrix of BSE risk levels

7. Info on the follow-up given to the opinions adopted at the previous SSC meeting.

8. Information by the Commission services on matters related to consumer health.

9. Any other business.

Draft agenda of the Scientific Steering Committee Meeting of 8-9 February

1. Welcome, apologies, introductory remarks, declaration of interest.

2. Approval of the agenda

3. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 11-12 January 2001

4. Multidisciplinary matters:

a. Co-ordination: Reports of the Chairmen of the 8 Scientific Committees

b. Harmonisation of risk assessment methods.

c. Safety of cotton (progress report)

d. Emerging scientific issues (progress reports from task forces, working groups and scientific committees)

e. New questions

5. Multidisciplinary matters relating to TSE/BSE

5.1. Report by the chairman of the TSE/BSE ad-hoc group meeting of 1 February

5.2. Reports on specific issues:

a. Pre-emptive opinion on risk scenarios, should BSE in sheep be found under natural conditions. Monitoring of research results on experimental BSE in small ruminants.

b. Update and possible adoption of an opinion on the GBR of a number of Third Countries.

c. Progress report on pending questions:

• BSE epidemiology (survey methods);
• Medical instruments;
• Origin of BSE and 3 ^rd route;
• Treatment and disposal of animal waste by alkaline hydrolysis at elevated temperature;
• Safety of a soil conditioner;
• Alternative ways of disposal;
• Safety of collagen;
• Literature survey on milk.
• Scientific background to the Austrian measures

d. New questions: safety of tallow

6. Info on the follow-up given to the opinions adopted at the previous SSC meeting.

7. Information by the Commission services on matters related to consumer health.

8. Any other business.

Draft agenda of the Scientific Steering Committee Meeting of 11-12 January

(items marked with an asterix (*) are priority)

1. Welcome, apologies, introductory remarks, declaration of interest.

2. Approval of the agenda

3. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 7-8 December

4. Multidisciplinary matters:

a. Co-ordination: Reports of the Chairmen of the 8 Scientific Committees

b. Harmonisation of risk assessment methods: (draft) mandate for a task force.

c. Safety of cotton (progress report)

d. Emerging scientific issues (progress reports from task forces, working groups and scientific committees)

*e. New questions

5. Multidisciplinary matters relating to TSE/BSE

5.1. * Report by the chairman of the TSE/BSE ad-hoc group meeting of 4 January

5.2. Reports on specific issues:

Questions resulting from the Council of Ministers meeting of 4 December 2000:

*a. Safety of bovine vertebral column and T-bone-steaks.

*b. Safety of bovine thymus and spleen.

*c. Safety of bovine rendered fats.

*d. Safety of hydrolysed proteins (all sources).

e. Safety of ruminant-derived mechanically recovered meat (MRM).

f. BSE epidemiology (survey methods).

Geographical BSE-risk.

g. Update

Other issues:

*h. Pre-emptive opinion on risk scenarios, should BSE in sheep be found under natural conditions. Monitoring of research results on experimental BSE in small ruminants.

6. Info on the follow-up given to the opinions adopted at the previous SSC meeting.

7. Information by the Commission services on matters related to consumer health.

8. Any other business.