The beef industry has received a significant boost following the announcement that Northern Ireland has achieved negligible risk status for BSE.
Notification of the risk classification upgrade to negligible risk status – the safest level - was confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) at a meeting in Paris on the 25th May, following an application from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) submitted in 2016.
Welcoming the announcement, Chief Veterinary Officer Robert Huey said; “This is a significant achievement that has been many years in the making. Northern Ireland has had no cases of BSE since 2012 and this announcement is testament to the tireless efforts of our beef producers and finishers, our red meat businesses, vets, government officials and many others who have worked together to maintain a system of interlocking safeguards against BSE that protects our public and animal health.
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