Agreement has been reached between industry and DARD that a case should be made to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for NI to move from a controlled risk status for BSE to a negligible risk (NR) status.

NI currently meets all the requirements to qualify for NR status with the last confirmed case of BSE in 2012 found in a cow born more than 11 years ago.

It is something that the meat trade in NI is keen to pursue, especially ahead of a wider UK approval which could potentially come in 2020.

Benefit

“The principle benefit is in market access, with the potential to speed up the process of accessing new markets and getting more favourable terms with existing trade partners. Widening market access is essential and NR status will help ensure we have a more competitive industry, so the sooner it can happen, the better,” said Conall Donnelly, the chief executive of the NI Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA).