European Union (EU) member states on Wednesday endorsed a European Commission proposal introducing an animal health measure aimed to prevent the spread of, and eventually to eradicate, classical scrapie. The proposal introduces a ban to feed ruminants with milk from flocks infected with classical scrapie. It bans milk in feed coming from sheep sensitive to classical scrapie and milk from all goats. This proposal does not concern the use of milk from classical scrapie infected flocks for human consumption. This milk could continue to be used for cheese production. The proposal also includes a revised eradication scheme, which aims to eradicate scrapie-sensitive animals. Goats and sensitive sheep, in dairy flocks, should be eradicated within 18 months after the diagnostic of classical scrapie. The proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament for scrutiny. Classical scrapie affects the nervous systems of sheep and goats. It is one of several transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which are related to mad cow disease.