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18/10/2018
NI Chief Veterinary Officer Monitors Scottish BSE Case
Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer has said the discovery of a case of 'mad cow disease' in Scotland does not pose a risk to Northern Ireland cattle.
Dr Robert Huey was speaking after the Scottish Government confirmed a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) on a farm in Aberdeenshire.
The outbreak is said to be an "isolated case," and the Scottish Government has said there is no risk to human health.
Dr Huey said: "The finding in Scotland does not impact on Northern Ireland's negligible risk status.
"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.
"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."
BSE is a brain disease that infects cows, attacks their central nervous system and is usually fatal.
Symptoms typically include aggression and a lack of co-ordination, leading it to be called 'mad cow disease'.
A cause of the fatal condition is contaminated feed so farmers are urged to comply with legislation and source feed responsibly.
Dr Huey said that while the latest case is disappointing, it shows that robust controls on BSE surveillance are effective in identifying issues.
(JG)
Dr Robert Huey was speaking after the Scottish Government confirmed a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) on a farm in Aberdeenshire.
The outbreak is said to be an "isolated case," and the Scottish Government has said there is no risk to human health.
Dr Huey said: "The finding in Scotland does not impact on Northern Ireland's negligible risk status.
"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.
"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."
BSE is a brain disease that infects cows, attacks their central nervous system and is usually fatal.
Symptoms typically include aggression and a lack of co-ordination, leading it to be called 'mad cow disease'.
A cause of the fatal condition is contaminated feed so farmers are urged to comply with legislation and source feed responsibly.
Dr Huey said that while the latest case is disappointing, it shows that robust controls on BSE surveillance are effective in identifying issues.
(JG)
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