It has been confirmed that a farm in in Ayrshire, Scotland has mad cow disease and as a result urgent restrictions have been imposed.
Mad Cow disease is officially called Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and officials have confirmed that the animal did not enter into the human food chain.
Officials have said this is an “isolated case” and there is no risk to human health, they also confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the disease.
The Mirror reported that Scotland’s agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said, “Following confirmation of a case of classical BSE in Ayrshire, the Scottish Government and other agencies took swift and robust action to protect the agriculture sector. This included establishing a precautionary movement ban on the farm.
“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.”
The government said in a statement, “Whilst the disease is not directly transmitted from animal to animal, its cohorts, including offspring, have been traced and isolated, and will be destroyed in line with our legal requirements.
In addition to the measures we have in place for fallen stock and animal feed, there is a strict control regime to protect consumers.
“This includes the removal of specified risk material such as the spinal column, brain and skull from carcasses destined for human consumption.”
Scotland’s 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 the risk associated with this isolated case is minimal. But, if any farmers are concerned, I would urge them to seek veterinary advice.”
