The European Commission is set to propose a draft amendment next month which would relax European rules on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) controls and would reduce costs within the sheep industry.

NFU Scotland (NFUS) consider the costs to be unnecessary and is calling on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove to support the changes.

The amendment could give the UK greater flexibility over procedures and costs. Within the UK, 100% of Specified Risk Material (SRM) must be removed from the carcases of sheep slaughtered for human consumption and the process brings additional costs, while other EU states only need remove as much SRM as possible.