This second breach within two weeks in imported meat from Germany is totally unacceptable

Sir John Krebbs FSA

Following Monday's discovery, the affected carcasses were destroyed, so the meat did not get into the food chain.

The seizure by a vet from the Meat Hygiene Service follows a similar find in Northern Ireland earlier this month.

Under European law introduced three months ago, spinal cord, which is on the list of specified risk material, must be removed from cattle aged over 12 months immediately after slaughter and destroyed.

The spinal cord found in a carcass at Eastbourne was two inches long.

'Robust' controls

The consignment - 216 carcasses weighing 19,000 kilos in total - came into the UK via Dover from Oldenburg on Sunday.

Sir John said the latest discovery showed the importance of a robust inspection system in the UK.

"This second breach within two weeks in imported meat from Germany is totally unacceptable," he said.

"It raises questions as to how effectively the EU-wide controls are being enforced.

"At the request of the FSA, the European Commission are already raising with the German authorities the need for them to fully comply with the controls."