EU to increase testing after first case of BSE in a goat

03/02/05 The Member States have voted in favour of the European Commission’s proposal to step up testing for BSE in the EU goat population, following the confirmation last week of the first case of BSE found in a goat. The testing scheme was proposed by the Commission to determine if this BSE case represents an isolated incident or if further measures need to be taken. The situation will be closely monitored and reviewed at the latest after six months, based on the results of the increased testing and the outcome of a quantitative risk assessment on the safety of goat meat currently being carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The Commission is proposing increased testing in goats for at least 6 months (185 000 tests of healthy goats in the EU and 15 000 goats dead on farm) to determine if this is an isolated incident. The extent of the monitoring programme will be based on the goat population in each Member State and will focus primarily on Member States where BSE is present in the cattle population. All confirmed TSE cases will be subjected to a three-step testing scheme, already in use, which will make it possible to differentiate between scrapie and BSE. The Commission will co-finance this increased testing.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00092.htm