Irish beef exports to China suspended following atypical BSE case
Atypical BSE occurs naturally and sporadically in all cattle populations at a very low rate and is not considered a public health risk.
Irish beef exports to China have been temporarily suspended due to a case of atypical BSE.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed on Tuesday that tests carried out at its Central Veterinary Research Laboratory identified the case on November 3.
The animal in question was a 10-and-a-half-year-old cow and was identified during the department’s ongoing systematic surveillance of fallen animals at knackeries.
Atypical BSE is a rare spontaneous event that may occur in any bovine population.
It occurs naturally and sporadically in all cattle populations at a very low rate and is not considered a public health risk.
The department said that the animal did not enter the food or feed chain.
The most recent previous case of atypical BSE in Ireland was identified in 2020.
Beef shipments to China were suspended following the confirmation in May 2020 of the isolated case.
This was a precautionary measure in line with the bilateral protocol on the trade agreed with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Irish beef exports resumed earlier this year.
Ireland was granted the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) negligible risk status for BSE in 2021, which is the lowest risk rating available.
Atypical BSE is not a condition that is notifiable to the WOAH.
The identification of this atypical BSE case does not affect Ireland’s negligible risk status for BSE.
Ireland exports over 90% of the beef produced here.
The department has confirmed that the identification of this atypical BSE case does not impact on trade generally.
However, the protocol with China requires exports to be suspended pending submission and assessment of the epidemiological report.
Therefore, exports of beef to China are now temporarily suspended.
The timeframe for resumption is a matter for the Chinese authorities.
After several years of negotiations, Ireland had secured access for the export of frozen boneless beef to China in April 2018.
Exports grew steadily until May 2020 when shipments were suspended in line with the sanitary agreement governing the beef trade with China.
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has said that this suspension is "disappointing and must be resolved quickly".
"Given that we had only recently regained access, it’s a setback that we could do without," IFA livestock chairman Brendan Golden said.
He said that returning to the Chinese market as soon as possible is important.
"Given the nature of this case, once the report is reviewed by the Chinese authorities, there should be no delay in regaining access," Mr Golden added.
