The latest UK/MAFF BSE Progress Report published today (18 August)
shows that the epidemic of BSE in the United Kingdom continues to
decline. The number of clinically suspect cases of BSE reported in
Great Britain has continued to fall and for the six months to 30 June
1998 was 22% less than for the same period in 1997 and 65% less than
for the same period in 1996. A continued improvement is expected for
the future. The Ministry of Agriculture said 1,280 cases of Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) were reported between January 1 and
August 7 this year. This compared to 4,311 cases in the whole of 1997
and 8,016 cases in 1996. At the height of the epidemic in 1992 the
number of cattle affected rose to 36,000, and around 150,000 animals
have been slaughtered.
The report also shows that nearly two thirds of UK herds with adult
breeding cattle have never had a case of BSE. Furthermore, 84% of beef
suckler herds have never had a case of BSE. Reported incidence also
shows that herds with more than four cases of BSE account for almost
three quarters of all BSE cases, but represent only just over 10% of
all herds.
Britain has ordered the removal from the human food chain of all
cattle over 30 months old. A ministry spokesman said most of the cases
now being reported were from dairy animals more than two years old.
Agriculture Minister Nick Brown said last month that a European Union
ban on exports of British beef imposed two years ago would remain in
force through the summer, and announced a new cull of cattle to help
hasten its lifting. He said that Brussels had demanded a cull of the
offspring of infected cattle before it agreed to allow export of
mainland British beef from cattle born since August 1, 1996, to
resume.
The Report outlines the measures which have been taken to protect
public health since December 1997, including legislation on cattle
identification and on controls for the exports of meat, meat products,
meat preparations, other products of animal origin and pet food
derived from bovines slaughtered outside the UK. It summarises the
results of action to enforce existing public health measures, and
describes progress made in setting up a cattle tracing system. An
update on the number of cases of nvCJD is included. [Available on
ProMED-mail 980806221755. MHJ]
The report sets out measures taken on the protection of animal health
including controls on animal feed; has a section on the European
perspective outlining the lifting of the EU ban on the export of UK
beef from certified herds in Northern Ireland -- exports from Northern
Ireland, which maintains a long-standing and a sophisticated system of
tracking cattle movements, have been allowed since June 1 this year;
and details the steps being taken towards acceptance of the scheme for
the export of beef from cattle born after 1 August 1996 which would
apply to the whole of the UK.
Britain's National Audit Office said in a report earlier this month
that tackling mad cow disease would cost British and European
taxpayers some 3.5 billion pounds ($5.8 billion).
This Report is the latest in a series of 6 monthly GB Progress Reports
on BSE. The last Report was published in March 1998. 2. The public can
obtain copies free from MAFF Publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A
2XX. Tel. 0645 556000.
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