Case of mad cow disease found on Scottish farm

A case of classical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, has been confirmed on a farm in Ayrshire, Scotland.

It is understood to be the first case found in the UK since 2021. The Scottish Government said precautionary movement restrictions had been put in place at impacted premises, covering animals that have been in contact with the case.

The case was identified as a result of routine surveillance and stringent control measures, and the animal did not enter the human food chain.

Food Standards Scotland confirmed that there was no risk to human health as a result of the isolated case. Further investigations to identify the origin are ongoing, as is standard procedure for a confirmed case of classical BSE.

‘Swift and robust action’

Jim Fairlie, Scotland’s agriculture minister, said: “Following confirmation of a case of classical BSE in Ayrshire, the Scottish Government and other agencies took swift and robust action to protect the agriculture sector. This included establishing a precautionary movement ban on the farm.

“The fact we identified this isolated case so quickly is proof that our surveillance system for detecting this type of disease is working effectively. I want to thank the animal’s owner for their diligence. Their decisive action has allowed us to identify and isolate the case at speed, which has minimised its impact on the wider industry.”

Sheila Voas, Scotland’s chief veterinary officer, said: “The fast detection of this case is proof that our surveillance system is doing its job. We are working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and other partners to identify where the disease came from.

“I want to reassure both farmers and the public that the risk associated with this isolated case is minimal. But if any farmers are concerned, I would urge them to seek veterinary advice.”

It is the first case of BSE in Scotland since 2018, when one was discovered in Aberdeenshire.

The disease peaked in 1992, when there were more than 37,000 cases, but has since declined markedly because of strict controls, including a ban on feeding animal protein to ruminants.

There are now only rare cases reported in the UK, with five, including the latest one in Scotland, confirmed since 2014.