Mad cow disease found on Scotland farm
Mad cow disease was first detected in Britain in the late 1980s, spreading from there to other parts of Europe and ravaging cattle herds until the early 2000s
Scotland’s government said on Thursday that a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, had been discovered on a farm in Aberdeenshire.
A quarantine area has been put in place around the farm while inspectors try to identify the origin of the disease.
“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,” Scotland’s farming minister Fergus Ewing said in a statement. “This is standard procedure for a confirmed case of classical BSE, which does not represent a threat to human health.”
The government said the case posed no harm to humans as it did not enter the food chain.
“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,” said Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas. “I would urge any farmer who has concerns to immediately seek veterinary advice.”