Case of mad cow disease detected on Dumfries and Galloway farm, Scottish Government confirms

A case of mad cow disease has been confirmed on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway.

The Scottish Government confirmed on Friday that a cow presented with a case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place at the affected premises, which covers animals that have been in contact with the case.

Atypical BSE is not known to be a risk to public health and the infected animal did not enter the human food chain.

Further investigations to identify the origin of the disease are ongoing as is standard procedure for a confirmed case of atypical BSE.

Authorities said that the case was identified as a result of routine yet intensive BSE surveillance and stringent control measures are in place.

Scotland’s agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: “Following confirmation of a case of atypical BSE in Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Government and other agencies took swift and robust action to protect the agriculture sector.

“The fact we identified this isolated case so quickly is 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 decisive action has allowed us to identify and isolate the case at speed which has minimised its impact on the wider industry.”

Chief veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said: “The fast detection of this case is proof that our surveillance system is doing its job.

“We are working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and other partners to identify where the disease came from.

“I want to reassure both farmers and the public that this is an isolated case and of the aytypical strain of BSE which is not transmissible and not connected to contaminated feed. But, if any farmers are concerned, I would urge them to seek veterinary advice.”

Ian McWatt, deputy chief executive of Food Standards Scotland said: “There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE and consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Scotland Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in Scotland will continue to ensure that in respect of BSE controls, the safety of consumers remains a priority.

“We will continue to work closely with Scottish Government, other agencies and industry at this time.”