Food Law News - UK - 2002


FSA Press Release, 7 February 2002

BSE - BSE case found in Northern Ireland not a food safety risk, says FSA

The Food Standards Agency has been notified by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of a single case of BSE in a cow aged 31 months.

The animal has been destroyed and no meat entered the human food chain. Investigations into how the animal became infected, including the possibility of maternal transmission, are continuing. This is the UK's 11th BSE case born after August 1996 it is the third such case in Northern Ireland.

The appearance of cases of BSE in cattle born after August 1996 when the comprehensive ban on feed contaminated with meat and bone meal became fully effective was predicted by epidemiologists.

The Agency said that as this BSE case was detected and not allowed to enter the food chain there is no food safety risk from this animal. All such cases will be considered with other evidence when the Over 30 Month Rule a further BSE control - is reviewed by the FSA later this year.


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