A new automated checking system to determine an animal’s spongiform encepalopathy (BSE), bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and Scotch protected geographical indication (PGI) credentials is up and running.

Ian Anderson of the Association of Meat Wholesalers welcomed the introduction, of the system, developed by Scoteid, saying: “Now, instead of ruling out cattle, you can quickly check if an animal qualifies for bovine BSE negligible risk or not.

“Previously, if there was a gap in the information, you had to investigate it manually, which meant that animals might have qualified, but for the amount of money involved, it wasn’t worth doing.

Efficiency

“Rolling the BSE, BVD and Scotch PGI systems into one is really efficient.

“Before, some animals would have had to be byproducts and be used for tallows, etc, but now it will be worthwhile to develop new products, because there is a better supply of material. For example, now more material can go into pet food.

“If you want to trade, you have to have systems which give reassurance on the ID of animals. Now we have a tried-and-tested system, which offers more guarantee.

“Members are saying it’s working really well. Congratulations all round.”