THERE HAVE been only two cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) recorded here up to the end of September 2010, according to a report published yesterday.
This marks a significant decline in the number of cases over recent years, from a high of 333 in 2002.
The Department of Agriculture, which published its 2009 Regional Veterinary Laboratories Surveillance report yesterday, said the total number of cases recorded in that year was nine.
This compares with 23 cases for 2008; 25 cases for 2007; 41 cases in 2006; 69 cases in 2005; 126 cases in 2004 and 182 cases in 2003.
The annual report stated that the National Reference Laboratory had sampled a total of 53 bovines last year and nine of these were confirmed positive.
All had initially been detected in the “private rapid testing laboratories” as part of the department’s active surveillance programme.
Under the active surveillance programme, testing of a proportion of fallen stock and cattle destined for human consumption was initiated in July, 2000.
This was extended in January 2001 to test all cattle over 30 months destined for human consumption and all casualty animals.
Since January 1st, 2009, BSE testing of both animals slaughtered for human consumption as well as emergency slaughtered and fallen animals was increased to 48 months.
Under this programme, in excess of 700,000 animals per annum were tested up to 2008.
Due to the increase in the age limit, the figure continued to fall substantially with a total of 385,494 animals tested up to the end of December 2009.
The department said the range of controls in place to protect consumers and to eradicate the disease continues to be rigorously enforced. In particular it should be noted that specified risk material, organs in which the disease is found, is removed from all cattle slaughtered.