Positive BSE test ‘should not damage export market’

The Department of Agriculture fears that the suspected BSE case in a Louth dairy farm could see Ireland lose its negligible risk status for the disease.

Ireland’s status for mad cow disease was only last week upgraded by the World Organisation for Animal Health, but should tests confirm suspicions the country may revert to a “controlled risk status” for BSE.

Test results are expected in a week and, if confirmed, will be the first BSE case found in Ireland since 2013.