If Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is suspected in my cattle

If I suspect that one of my animals has BSE, what do I do, and what does the Department do?

You must, by law, report a BSE suspect case to the Department immediately, by contacting your local Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO). If you are unsure, you may wish to take advice from your Private Veterinary Practitioner (PVP) who will notify the DVO if he suspects BSE. A Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Veterinary Officer will visit you as soon as possible and examine the animal after contact with the DVO has been made.

If the Department's veterinary officer suspects that your animal may be suffering from BSE, he will issue a notice restricting movement of the animal from your farm. Milk from an affected or suspected animal must not be fed to poultry or animals, other than its own calf. Such milk must not be removed from the premises on which the animal was milked, except under a licence issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Until the disease has been diagnosed, the responsibility for the animal, including treatment, rests with you and your own Private Veterinary Practitioner (PVP).

Once the officer believes that the animal is affected by BSE, the valuation slaughter and disposal of the animal will be arranged as soon as possible, at the Department's expense.

The amount of compensation you will be paid will depend on whether the animal is confirmed to have BSE or not. There is an upper limit on the compensation and this is published by the Department each month.

By reporting early you: