It comes just weeks after the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia led a trade mission to China and Korea to promote Irish beef and dairy. Irish beef exports to China only resumed in January this year after it was closed in November 2023 after an ‘atypical BSE’ case, with just over 2,600t of beef export from Ireland to China last year.
In a statement, the Department confirmed that tests carried out at its Central Veterinary Research Laboratory confirmed a case of “atypical BSE” on the evening of 19 September 2024.
The animal in question was a 15-year-old cow. The animal was imported in 2012 as a three year old, it said and was identified during the Department’s on-going systematic surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals at ‘knackeries’.
The animal did not enter the food or feed chain and there are no public health risks associated with this occurrence.
Atypical BSE is a rare spontaneous event that may occur in any bovine population. It is not related to feed contamination, the Department said.
The most recent previous case of ‘atypical BSE’ in Ireland was identified in 2023.
Ireland was granted the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) negligible risk status for BSE in 2021, which is the lowest risk rating available. Atypical BSE is not a condition which is notifiable to the WOAH.
The identification of this Atypical BSE case does not affect Ireland’s negligible risk status for BSE.
Ireland’s BSE controls are robust and effective and consistent with legal requirements and best international practice.
The discovery of this case exemplifies the strength of Ireland’s controls and surveillance system; demonstrable proof that our food and feed safety controls are effective, according to the Department.
“These standards are recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and are the basis on which Irish beef is exported to some 70 countries worldwide.
“As a country which exports over 90% of the beef we produce, we know that our reputation as a producer of safe sustainable beef is paramount. Our regulatory and food safety systems allow us to provide those assurances.”
It went on to say the identification of this Atypical BSE case does not impact on trade generally.
However, agreements with some trading partners require notification of such cases, and the relevant competent authorities have been informed.
Agreements with China, Japan and Korea require official notification of such cases to issue to their competent authorities. The Department notified their competent authorities on 20 September 2024.
China has requested the voluntary suspension of trade as per the agreed protocols, pending their evaluation of the case.
Korea have suspended trade as per the agreed protocols, pending their evaluation of the case.
