The UK confirms positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy on English farm
The UK Animal and Plant Health Agency has confirmed the occurrence of a case of classic bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on a farm in Somerset, south-west England. The animal has died and has been removed from the farm. There is no risk to food safety, they say from the agency.
In accordance with the disease prevention response plan established by the authorities, preventive movement restrictions have been implemented for livestock in the area while investigations continue to identify the origin of the disease.
The director of the English Veterinary Office Christine Middlemiss pointed out that the one detected was an isolated case, and that movement restrictions are “standard procedure until we have a clear understanding of the origin of the disease. This is further proof that our surveillance system to detect and contain this type of disease is working ”. Likewise, she showed her support to the rancher of the affected farm and her willingness to help him.
The UK's overall BSE risk status remains "under control," Middlemiss said, and there is no risk to food safety or public health.
"There are strict controls"
For its part, a spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency recalled that “there are strict controls to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed and the elimination of the parts of livestock most likely to carry the infection. ”.
Consumers, he added, "can rest assured that these important safeguards are still in place and that the official veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency and meat hygiene inspectors working in all slaughterhouses in England will continue to ensure that the consumer safety remains the top priority. "
Thorough investigation
The Animal and Plant Health Agency will now begin a thorough investigation of the herd, facilities, possible sources of infection and will issue a full incident report in due course.
The case detected now does not affect beef exports from the United Kingdom, although in accordance with international commitments, the World Organization for Animal Health and trade partners have been informed of the case.
Five cases of BSE have been confirmed in the UK since 2014, all of them in animals that were not destined for the human food chain when dying from the disease and posed no risk to the general public.
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