A case of classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed in a cow on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway, authorities have said.
The Scottish Government said precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place on the offspring of the animal and its “cohort” at the impacted premises. Further investigations to identify the origin of the disease are ongoing as is standard procedure for a confirmed case of classical BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease.
No risk to human health
The Scottish Government said the case was identified as a result of its routine BSE surveillance and stringent control measures that are in place. The animal did not enter the human food chain and Food Standards Scotland has confirmed there is no risk to human health as a result of the case.
Scotland’s agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: “Following confirmation of a case of classical BSE in Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Government and other agencies acted swiftly and decisively to protect the agriculture sector.
Swift action praised
“The fact we identified this isolated case so quickly is clear proof that our surveillance system for detecting this type of disease is working effectively. I want to thank the animal’s owner for their diligence. Their swift action allowed us to identify and isolate the case immediately, minimising its impact on the wider industry.”
The owners of the affected animals are working with authorities on next steps. The Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) is investigating the source of the disease.
Routine testing and legal requirements
Under Scotland’s surveillance system all animals more than four years of age that die on farms are routinely tested for BSE. Authorities said that while the disease is not directly transmitted from animal to animal, the cow’s cohorts including offspring have been traced and isolated, and will be destroyed in line with legal requirements.
