The discovery of a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
in Scotland does not impact Northern Ireland’s negligible risk
status, Northern Ireland Chief Veterinary Officer said today.
Dr Robert Huey was speaking after the Scottish Government has
confirmed a case of BSE on a farm in Aberdeenshire.
Precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place at the
farm, while further investigations to identify the origin of the
disease occur. This is standard procedure for a confirmed case of
classical BSE, which does not represent a threat to human health.
Dr Robert Huey said: “While this finding is disappointing, it
shows that the robust and rigorous controls on BSE surveillance
are effective in identifying issues as early as possible.
“The finding in Scotland does not impact on Northern Ireland’s
negligible risk status. We have robust control and
surveillance measures in place. We have stringent controls in
meat plants and meal companies to ensure meat and bone meal
cannot get into feed. These measures ensure that beef from
Northern Ireland is a quality product and safe to eat.”
Dr Huey added: “Contaminated feed is a known cause of BSE.
Farmers should ensure they comply with TSE legislation and source
feed responsibly. They should also maintain good records of feed
supplies.
“I am in regular contact with my counterpart in Scotland and will
continue to monitor the situation as the ongoing investigation
into the cause of this case continues.”
Notes to editors:
1. Photo caption: Northern Ireland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr.
Robert Huey.
2. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is one of a group of
diseases of the brain which can be fatal to cattle: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/introduction-bovine-spongiform-encephalopathy-bse
3. The UK Government has had in place a range of livestock, food
and feed controls since the late 1980s which have been very
effective in controlling BSE.
4. There are strict rules laid down for the prevention, control
and eradication of such disease.
5. The UK Government made BSE a notifiable disease in 1988.
6. Negligible Risk status is awarded to those countries or
regions which satisfy the World Organisation for Animal Health
requirements in relation to BSE controls which include the
necessary date of birth of the last classical BSE case and feed
and risk material controls.
7. Northern Ireland, like Scotland, attained Negligible Risk
status in 2017.
8. Due to the reduced risk, NR status allows the utilisation of
more material from cattle which are NR status, which reduces the
material that must be disposed of after slaughter.
