Active Surveillance for TSEs in Cattle, Sheep and Goats
Agriculture Departments across Europe are required to monitor the presence of BSE in cattle and scrapie in sheep.
European Regulation (EC) 999/2001, as amended, details measures to be taken by Member States for the prevention, control and eradication of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) which includes BSE in cattle. It is enforced in Northern Ireland by the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.
Regulation 999/2001 requires that monitoring programmes for BSE in cattle and Scrapie in sheep are carried out as follows:
BSE Cattle Surveillance
(1) Fallen Stock - All cattle aged over 24 months which have died or been killed on farm must be notified to the Department’s agent Glenfarm Customer Services (Tel 028 9445 1919), who will arrange for free collection. A brainstem sample will then be taken for BSE testing.
(2) Emergency slaughter - All cattle over 24 months of age which are slaughtered on farm due to an accident and certified as being fit for human consumption by a Private Veterinary Practitioner must be tested. Animals that were born before 1 August 1996 go to the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS); animals born on or after 1 August 1996 are eligible for the food chain subject to a negative BSE test result and meeting normal inspection checks.
(3) Ante-mortem inspection – Animals presented for slaughter for human consumption at an abattoir or presented for slaughter at an OCDS abattoir and which fail the ante-mortem inspection must be tested.
(4) Healthy slaughtered animals born between 1 August 1995 and 31 July 1996 – ‘healthy’ cattle in this age category slaughtered at an OCDS abattoir must be tested for the presence of BSE.
(5) Healthy slaughtered animals aged over 30 months born after 31 July 1996 - ‘healthy’ cattle born on or after 1 August 1996 aged over thirty months and slaughtered for human consumption must test negative for BSE and meet the normal inspection checks prior to entry to the food chain.
Click here for Active Surveillance testing statistics for Northern Ireland
(6) Human Consumption Sheep Survey - Northern Ireland currently tests a minimum of 600 sheep aged over 18 months and slaughtered for human consumption. Sheep must test negative for scrapie and meet normal inspection checks for entry to the food chain.
(7) Sheep fallen stock survey – Northern Ireland are currently required to test a minimum of 700 sheep over 18 months of age that have died or are killed on farm.
(8) Goat fallen stock survey - Testing of all goats over 18 months of age that have died or are killed on farm. These animals are required to be notified to the Glenfarm Customer Services (Tel 028 9445 1919), who will arrange free collection, sampling and disposal of the carcase.
(9) Red deer fallen stock survey - Northern Ireland are currently required to test a minimum of 49 red deer over 18 months of age that have died or are killed on farm.
Contact Number for Fallen Animals
Fallen cattle and sheep should be notified to Glenfarm Customer Services (Tel 028 9445 1919), who will arrange free collection, sampling and disposal of the carcase.