Boost as BSE risk for farms downgraded

THE UK’s risk status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been downgraded to negligible by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

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BSE, occasionally known as mad cow disease, was a considerable public health concern in the 1980s, leading to long-standing bans on British beef exports.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says the downgrading risk status marks a “major step forward” for the food and farm sector, reflecting “decades of rigorous controls and opening the door to expanded trade and renewed confidence in UK beef”.

Farming Minister Zeichner said: “This announcement is a major step forward and will deliver a real boost to our hard-working cattle farmers, who will now have more avenues open for trading our excellent beef products. It is also a huge vote of confidence in this Government's commitment to rigorous animal health standards and biosecurity.”