Northern Ireland and Scotland’s negligible BSE risk status, decided in May by the World Organisation of Animal Health, takes effect from today, the Scottish government has announced. This is the safest achievable classification.

“Scotland’s meat exports are currently thriving, and this certification stands us in good stead for our exporters to increase Scottish beef exports even further,” said Scottish rural secretary Fergus Ewing.

The Republic can apply for negligible status in 2021 at the earliest.

In the US, an atypical BSE case was confirmed in an 11-year-old cow last week.