Suspected BSE case is ‘zero risk’ to humans

Government ministers and senior agriculture figures have warned against over-reacting to news that Ireland might have its first case of BSE in cattle for two years.

Final test results, due next week, are needed before the case in Co Louth can be confirmed as mad cow disease.

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, moved to reassure consumers that there was absolutely no possibility of it having any effect on the food chain, while his government colleague, Michael Noonan, the finance minister, tried to cool fears that a positive test result could have a negative effect on the economy, particularly as it might be a “one-off” case.

Sympathy was also expressed for the farmer and his family who have unwittingly found themselves at the centre of the story, particularly as the farm lost a herd to BSE more than a decade ago.

Mr Coveney said the most likely cause of the cow contracting BSE, if that is what tests confirm, was due to it having eaten banned meat and bonemeal. However, he said it could also have happened at birth if the animal’s mother had BSE, or it could even be spontaneous BSE but this is thought unlikely.

All animals linked to the affected animal, including three calves, have already been identified, quarantined and destroyed.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said he suspected it was a positive case and that it would be confirmed next week.

“It’s important to put this into context,” he said.

“There is zero risk to humans here. The system we have in Ireland means this animal could never have found its way into the food chain.”

Describing the case as an “outlier”, he said the five- year-old Robunt cow had been born in Ireland but its mother had come from overseas. He said one possibility was that something the cow ate when it was a calf may have resulted in the BSE, which can lie latent for a number of years.

The minister said there had been no meat and bonemeal in Ireland for the past 14 years and this was “rigorously enforced”.

However, just last week Ireland was given negligible risk status for BSE, a status that could now be lost if the case is confirmed. But the minister said the safeguards were such that it should not impact negatively on Ireland’s beef exports — a view echoed by Mr Noonan.

“It is disappointing, but it’s not a cause of economic concern yet,” he said.

John Comer, the president of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association, said on Newstalk: “It is disappointing but it is certainly not catastrophic.”

Mr Comer said there were adequate structures in place and this case illustrates that they are “robust” and offer protection to the public.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association general secretary, Eddie Punch, said confirmation of BSE would be “disappointing as a standalone matter” but it would have no impact on the current 30-month age limit for prime beef cattle.