Northern Ireland exporters free to trade at lowest level of BSE risk

Northern Ireland beef exporters can now trade with the lowest level status available for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).

The new risk status was recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in May 2017 and formally endorsed by the European Union on 27 July 2017 allowing Northern Ireland exporters to take full advantage of the new trading opportunities it offers.

Scotland has also achieved NR Status while England and Wales and the Republic of Ireland continue to be recognised as having controlled risk status.

Robert Huey, Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland, commented: “This is a huge boost for the beef sector in Northern Ireland and the culmination of years of invaluable work of our beef producers and finishers, red meat business, vets, government officials and many others. The new risk status will enhance the international image of Northern Ireland as a disease-free area and provides an excellent platform from which to increase our beef exports to international markets.

“We are now working with the beef industry to maximise the benefit secured from this newly gained status, while maintaining our high standards of public and animal health.”

Conall Donnelly, CEO of the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association (NIMEA), added: “This is a strong endorsement of the health standards of the Northern Ireland herd. This will pay dividends in terms of our international reputation and will be a significant factor in helping to further develop our access to global markets. As an industry we are working closely with government to capitalise on Negligible Risk Status and ensure the greatest possible benefit.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is one of a group of diseases of the brain which can be fatal.
2. The Government has had in place a range of livestock, food and feed controls since the late 1980s which have been very effective in controlling BSE.
3. There are strict rules laid down for the prevention, control and eradication of such disease.
4. The UK Government made BSE a notifiable disease in 1988.
5. Notification of the risk classification upgrade to negligible risk status – the safest level - was confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on 25 May 2017 following an application from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
6. EU Decision 2007/453/EC categorises the BSE risk status of EU Member States. An amendment to the decision which takes account of Northern Ireland’s new risk status came into effect on 27 July 2017 (see Decision (EU) 2017/1396).
7. Follow us on Twitter @daera_ni.
8. All media enquiries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office or via telephone on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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