Beef exports to China suspended after case of Atypical BSE discovered in Irish cow
BSE, commonly called Mad Cow Disease, comes in two forms, Classical BSE and Atypical BSE.
BEEF EXPORTS TO China have been suspended after a case of Atypical BSE was detected during the testing of a cow in Ireland last Friday, the Department of Agriculture has said.
The Department said that the decision was made by China and that the lifting of the suspension was at the discretion of the Chinese authorities.
BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), commonly called Mad Cow Disease, comes in two forms, Classical BSE and Atypical BSE.
Classical BSE occurs when cows eat contaminated feed while the Atypical form is thought to occur spontaneously in bovine herds, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health This was the first Atypical BSE case detected in Ireland since 2020, the Department told The Journal.
In statement the Department said the animal did not enter the food or feed chain and that no health risks were associated with the detected case.
“Tests carried out at the Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory confirmed a case of “atypical BSE” on 3 November. The animal in question was a 10 and a half year old cow and was identified during the Department’s on-going systematic surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals at ‘knackeries’. “The animal did not enter the food or feed chain and there are no public health risks associated with this occurrence. Atypical BSE is a rare spontaneous event that may occur in any bovine population. It is not related to feed contamination.”
The Department also said that the detection of such a case “does not impact on trade generally” but that Chinese protocols mean exports have been paused.
“The protocol with China requires exports to be suspended pending submission and assessment of the epidemiological report,” the Department said.
“Therefore exports of beef to China are now temporarily suspended. The timeframe for resumption is a matter for the Chinese authorities.”
The Department also said that the detection of this case is an example of the testing system working.
“Ireland’s BSE controls are robust and effective and consistent with legal requirements and best international practice.
“The discovery of this case exemplifies the strength of Ireland’s controls and surveillance system; demonstrable proof that our food and feed safety controls are effective,” the statement read.
Beef is a major Irish export. Over 90% of Irish beef is sold abroad and the Government has just conducted a visit to South Korea, during which beef trade was a key topic on the agenda.
Reacting to the announcement this evening, the Irish Farmers’ Association’s Livestock Chair Brendan Golden said suspension of access to the Chinese market was disappointing but it must be resolved quickly.
Golden said: “Given that we had only recently regained access, it’s a setback that we could do without.”
Golden added that he hopes, once the case is reviewed by Chinese Authorities, there will be no delay in getting exports to the region restored.
Beef exports to China suspended after case of Atypical BSE discovered in Irish cow
BSE, commonly called Mad Cow Disease, comes in two forms, Classical BSE and Atypical BSE.
BEEF EXPORTS TO China have been suspended after a case of Atypical BSE was detected during the testing of a cow in Ireland last Friday, the Department of Agriculture has said.
The Department said that the decision was made by China and that the lifting of the suspension was at the discretion of the Chinese authorities.
BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), commonly called Mad Cow Disease, comes in two forms, Classical BSE and Atypical BSE.
Classical BSE occurs when cows eat contaminated feed while the Atypical form is thought to occur spontaneously in bovine herds, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health This was the first Atypical BSE case detected in Ireland since 2020, the Department told The Journal.
In statement the Department said the animal did not enter the food or feed chain and that no health risks were associated with the detected case.
“Tests carried out at the Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory confirmed a case of “atypical BSE” on 3 November. The animal in question was a 10 and a half year old cow and was identified during the Department’s on-going systematic surveillance of ‘fallen’ animals at ‘knackeries’. “The animal did not enter the food or feed chain and there are no public health risks associated with this occurrence. Atypical BSE is a rare spontaneous event that may occur in any bovine population. It is not related to feed contamination.”
The Department also said that the detection of such a case “does not impact on trade generally” but that Chinese protocols mean exports have been paused.
“The protocol with China requires exports to be suspended pending submission and assessment of the epidemiological report,” the Department said.
“Therefore exports of beef to China are now temporarily suspended. The timeframe for resumption is a matter for the Chinese authorities.”
The Department also said that the detection of this case is an example of the testing system working.
“Ireland’s BSE controls are robust and effective and consistent with legal requirements and best international practice.
“The discovery of this case exemplifies the strength of Ireland’s controls and surveillance system; demonstrable proof that our food and feed safety controls are effective,” the statement read.
Beef is a major Irish export. Over 90% of Irish beef is sold abroad and the Government has just conducted a visit to South Korea, during which beef trade was a key topic on the agenda.
Reacting to the announcement this evening, the Irish Farmers’ Association’s Livestock Chair Brendan Golden said suspension of access to the Chinese market was disappointing but it must be resolved quickly.
Golden said: “Given that we had only recently regained access, it’s a setback that we could do without.”
Golden added that he hopes, once the case is reviewed by Chinese Authorities, there will be no delay in getting exports to the region restored.
“Classical BSE occurs when cows eat contaminated feed while the Atypical form is thought to occur spontaneously in bovine herds, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health”
Ministers McConalogue and Heydon announce the resumption of beef exports to China From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on 5 January 2023
Last updated on 10 January 2023
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, and Minister of State Martin Heydon today announced the resumption of Irish beef exports to China.
Beef shipments to China were suspended following the confirmation in May 2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of an isolated case of atypical BSE. This isolated case was detected by the department’s surveillance programme, did not enter the food chain and posed no risk to human health. Atypical BSE occurs naturally and sporadically in all cattle populations at a very low rate and is not considered a public health risk.
Nevertheless, beef exports were immediately suspended as a precautionary measure in line with the bilateral protocol on the trade agreed with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Minister McConalogue stated:
“Negotiating the resumption of beef access has been a top priority for my department over the last two and a half years. Together with colleagues in the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, my officials have been in ongoing contact with the Chinese authorities since the start of the suspension. They provided the necessary technical information for evaluation by Chinese experts. Earlier this year, as a result of my communication with my counterpart in charge of GACC, our officials engaged in further bilateral talks to finalise the restoration of beef access based on scientific principles.
“Ireland’s reputation as an exporter of high-quality beef worldwide hinges on its compliance with stringent animal health and food safety standards. As a major food exporter, we are always very conscious of the concerns of our customers. China’s decision to resume Irish beef imports on the same conditions as before represents a clear vote of confidence in the output of our beef sector.
“This decision is a great vote of confidence in our beef sector and our committed suckler and beef farmers who produce a world class product. I look forward to seeing the value of the Chinese market grow in the time ahead to reward the efforts of everyone involved.”
Minister of State Martin Heydon, whose responsibilities include market development, hailed today’s news as a positive development for the Irish beef sector.
Minister Heydon said:
“We will continue to work with the Chinese authorities to maintain and enhance our access to the Chinese market for Irish food and drink. I know that Bord Bia will soon set in motion a programme of promotions to allow exporters capitalise on the opportunities offered by this announcement. Prior to the suspension, overall Irish beef exports to China were on an upward trajectory and I am confident that we can quickly regain momentum and market share there.
“I want to recognise the role of Ireland’s Ambassador to China, Dr Ann Derwin, the current and previous agricultural attachés, and all the team at the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing for their efforts in presenting at every opportunity a reasoned case on the safety of Irish beef exports. I also want to acknowledge the work of Bord Bia Shanghai in communicating the quality and sustainability of Irish beef to key trade customers in China.”
Notes There are two types of BSE: classical BSE which occurs through the consumption of contaminated feed, and atypical BSE which is believed to occur in all cattle populations at a very low rate and which have only been identified in older cattle. Ireland is internationally recognised as having the lowest possible risk status for BSE. The negligible risk designation in May 2021 by the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH), which sets trading standards for animals and animal products, provided independent verification of the effectiveness of Ireland’s control system for BSE.
After several years of negotiations, Ireland 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. Irish beef exports to China, including Hong Kong which operates as a special administrative region with different market access rules, were worth €45 million in 2021, down from exports of €96 million in 2019.
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