A confirmed case of BSE, also known as mad cow disease, has been recorded in Scotland for the first time in a decade on a farm in Aberdeenshire.
The Scottish Government said the incident did not represent a threat to human health, but livestock on the farm are being quarantined while further investigations take place.
“The Scottish Government and its partners stand ready to respond to any further confirmed cases of the disease in Scotland”
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Fergus Ewing MSP
The Animal Health Agency (APHA) is investigating the source of the outbreak, which was detected during routine monitoring work and is believed to be an isolated case.
It is the first confirmed case of BSE in Scotland since 2008. The nation was declared “BSE free” in 2009 and was given “negligible risk” status by the World Organisation for Animal Health last year.
BSE, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, was first recognised in 1986 and peaked in the UK in 1992, when more than 37,000 cases were recorded nationally.
It was nicknamed “mad cow disease” as it involves pronounced changes in the affected animal’s mental state, including abnormalities of posture, movement and sensation.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Following confirmation of a case of classical BSE in Aberdeenshire, I have activated the Scottish Government’s response plan to protect our valuable farming industry, including establishing a precautionary movement ban being placed on the farm.
“While it is important to stress that this is standard procedure until we have a clear understanding of the diseases origin, this is further proof that our surveillance system for detecting this type of disease is working.
“Be assured that the Scottish Government and its partners stand ready to respond to any further confirmed cases of the disease in Scotland.”
Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas added: “While it is too early to tell where the disease came from in this case, its detection is proof that our surveillance system is doing its job.
“We are working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to answer this question, and in the meantime, I would urge any farmer who has concerns to immediately seek veterinary advice.”
All animals over four years of age that die on a farm are routinely tested for BSE in Scotland.
Although the disease is not directly transmitted from animal to animal, the affected cow’s offspring have been traced and isolated and are set to be destroyed in line with EU requirements.