BSE outbreak: Feed 'most likely source' (From Western Telegraph)

BSE outbreak: Feed 'most likely source'

Defra is continuing its detailed investigation into the origins of three cases of BSE on a single Pembrokeshire dairy farm.

Contaminated imported feed has been put forward as the most likely explanation of why the cattle developed the disease.

This week Defra said it was possible that all three cases had been infected by the same source. None of the infected cattle had been destined for the food chain because they were part of a friesian milk producing herd and BSE is not transmitted through milk.

Stephen James, Pembrokeshire NFU county chairman, said the circumstances of this case proved that the testing system was working.

"This highlights how failsafe the system is. Where there is a problem it has picked it up,'' he said. "This case is a one-off, it is only one farm involved and the source of the problem will be traced one way or another.''

Defra scientist, Professor John Wilesmith, has already provisionally identified contaminated feed as the most likely source of infection for the BSE cases born after the reinforced August 1996 feed ban (BARBs).

He believes imported feed has been contaminated post-August 1996 in the holds of ships. The rest of Europe was behind the UK in fully implementing the feed ban, but it continues to be legal in other parts of the world.

Professor William Hill, who is carrying out an independent assessment of the possible causes of BARBs, will also examine the Pembrokeshire mystery.

The timing of this cluster of cases is unfortunate with Defra battling to secure changes to the Over-Thirty Months rules and a relaxation of export controls. On Monday EU inspectors began their crucial visit to assess UK controls.

Stephen James said all post-1996 cattle destined for the food chain would be tested once the OTMS has been lifted.