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World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) grants UK 'controlled' BSE risk status

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (189/08) issued by The Government News Network on 17 June 2008

Information Bulletin

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) officially declared that the UK is 'controlled risk' for BSE at its recent General Session.

The OIE sets out risk-based criteria for the export of live bovines and bovine products. It agreed a new system of categorising exporting countries on the basis of BSE risk as 'negligible', 'controlled' or 'undetermined'.

The UK applied for categorisation under the new system in March 2007. Confirmation of the UK's 'controlled risk' status will support the opening of more international markets for the export of UK cattle and beef.

The Chief Veterinary Officer, Mr. Nigel Gibbens said,

"I welcome the international community's recognition of the UK's huge achievements in controlling BSE. However, we have not eradicated this disease yet and I would urge farmers and their veterinary surgeons to remain vigilant for possible cases".

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. In March 2005, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) agreed that the UK was equivalent to OIE 'moderate risk' status for BSE under the previous categorisation system, linked to the number of BSE cases in the population. This recognition was key to the EU lifting the BSE-related ban on the export of UK cattle and beef in May 2006.

2. The number of BSE cases in the UK has declined from over 37000 in 1992 to 67 in 2007. Most cases have been in cattle born before tough feed controls became effective on 1 August 1996. Cattle born or reared in the UK before this date are prohibited from entering food or feed chains or from export.

3. The UK is some years from achieving 'negligible risk' status for BSE as this requires a period of at least 11 years since the birth of a BSE case - currently 2014.

4. Further details on the BSE risk status of other countries are available at http://www.oie.int/eng/info/en_statesb.htm?e1d6

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