BSE rules change saves €5m

Savings of about €5m per annum to the agriculture industry, including farmers, are expected from April, when the EU will relax BSE testing rules.

Testing for BSE at slaughter will no longer be necessary for about 230,000 healthy animals per year in Ireland. Testing for fallen cattle over 48 months will remain unchanged.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said: “This development provided compelling evidence of the effectiveness of the measures taken over the years to control and eradicate this disease”.