Cohorts of BSE Positive Cases
Animals born into or reared in the same herd (within time limits) as BSE positive animals have to be destroyed. Compensation will be paid by the Department.
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) 2010.
A requirement under EC Regulation 999/2001 as read with Commission Decision 411/2007/EC is for the cohort animals, born on or after 1 August 1996, of BSE positive cases to be identified, slaughtered and completely destroyed. The definition of a “cohort” is set out in the EC Regulation and means a group of bovine animals which includes both:
- animals born in the same herd as the affected bovine animal within 12 months preceding or following the date of birth of that animal; and
- animals which at any time during the first year of their lives were reared together with the affected bovine animal during the first year of its life.
On notification to the Department of a clinical suspect BSE animal, or the receipt by the Department of a positive result to a rapid screening test in respect of an animal sampled under the TSE monitoring programme,, cohort animals born on or after 1 August 1996 are automatically identified on the Department’s Animal & Public Health Information computer System (APHIS) and a notice is served restricting their movement off-farm. Restricted cohort animals remain the responsibility of the herd keeper. If BSE is not confirmed in the suspect animal the movement restrictions will be withdrawn.
Where BSE is confirmed in the suspect animal those animals which are confirmed as cohorts will be valued on-farm and slaughtered. A brain stem sample will be taken from the cohort carcase for BSE testing and the carcase destroyed. Movement restrictions will be withdrawn in respect of animals which are not confirmed as cohorts. Cohort animals cannot go for human consumption. Compensation for cohort animals slaughtered by the Department is paid at the market value.
