Ministers have welcome the news that the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has recognised Ireland as having a negligible risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, described the reinstatement of Ireland’s negligible BSE risk status, “as a ringing endorsement of Ireland’s robust animal health, food and food safety controls”.
The recognition was adopted by resolution of the World Assembly of Delegates of the OIE at the organisation’s 88thGeneral Session.
Mr Conalogue hopes the announcement will support beef farmers and the wider sector and he added: “It is a testament to the commitment, expertise and dedication of all stakeholders, who have invested enormous efforts over the years to control and eradicate this disease.”
The first case of BSE in Ireland was recorded in 1989 and peaked at 333 cases in 2002. Ireland was recognised as having negligible BSE risk status in May 2015 but a BSE case was identified and Ireland became controlled BSE risk status.
Minister of State, Martin Heydon welcomed the news and hoped it would help the department’s efforts to gain access to new markets and retain existing market access for Ireland’s beef exports.
“The OIE decision is an important further endorsement of the reputation of Ireland’s animal health controls internationally. I hope the announcement will assist in opening new trade opportunities for the safe, quality produce from our beef farmers,” Mr Heydon concluded..